CUTTING AND PREPARING THE SEED TO PLANT 51 



sprout will be produced. In such new seed generally just 

 one sprout appears ; but if aged, and under certain climatical 

 conditions, all eyes will sprout, and two or three stalks may 

 grow from each eye. 



There are several reasons why whole seed is not used 

 extensively in California: 1st. Because the small whole 

 tubers used are generally "culls ;" consequently an inferior 

 crop is produced. Large pieces cut from large potatoes 

 yield more. 2nd. The cost is greater, and more seed pota- 

 toes are required, and does not increase the yield sufficiently 

 to justify its use, unless the soil is extraordinarily rich. 

 However, if whole tubers are grown especially for seed pur- 

 poses, planted closely so they do not become too large, they 

 are satisfactory, and are much better than the small tubers 

 taken from the field. 



In European countries, whole seed, greened and sprout- 

 ed, is used extensively, and such seed makes a crop from two 

 to three weeks earlier. 



Cut seed potatoes are generally advisable in California, 

 although whole seed is advisable at times. Its use is grow- 

 ing more popular than heretofore. 



The soil must be extraordinarily rich, or the seed new, 

 so that just one or two sprouts are produced. Whole seed 

 must never be too old. If the seed is too old, too many 

 sprouts will come from one hill, making the tubers unmarket- 

 able. Whole tubers must always be very new to produce one 

 sprout in light soil. 



The use of small whole tubers from the field is not ad- 

 visable, because it is generally the diseased plants that pro- 

 duce small tubers, and a very unsatisfactory yield and qual- 

 ity would result. However, when whole tubers are used, 

 they should be from seed that had been planted closely es- 



