89 



is done at high pressure, and all endeavour is made to 

 get the crop in as short a time as possible, the earlier 

 shoots are worth the greater care; consequently it is 

 advisable to use them, but when dealing with a large 

 quantity of seed it would be absurd to waste the heel 

 ends, as the gain from the use of the rose-end sets is 

 not sufficient to counterbalance the loss thus sus- 

 tained. 



Effect of Cutting Seed Potatoes. 



Great stress is laid on the quantity of eyes which 

 should be left in the set ; this, however, is a question 

 which does not affect, to a great extent, the grower of 

 considerable quantities, as it is impossible for him to 

 find time to pick out the superabundant eyes. The 

 grower of small quantities for exhibition, or for a 

 particular purpose, may do this, and obtain better 

 results. If a single eye is left in a potato the whole 

 of the food goes to this one, and the young plant 

 makes a vigorous start. The single plant thus raised 

 occupies the ground allotted to it, and it has all the 

 nutriment at its disposal. Under these circumstances 

 the tubers formed grow to a considerable size, and 

 fine exhibition tubers are obtained. Where a number 

 of plants are grown on one spot the opposite result 

 may be looked for. There are more tubers formed, but 

 they do not grow to so great a size ; however, the 

 total weight is very similar. 



Very choice seed may be cut small, as it may pay to 

 get as many plants as possible. This is commonly 

 practised on new seed. If the sets are planted under 



