CLASSES OF CUTTINGS 113 



time special shoots emerge from the stems, extend short 

 distances and later thicken to form tubers. For com- 

 mercial planting, Irish potato tubers are usually cut in 

 pieces, each containing at least one eye or bud. If cut 

 through an eye each half eye may produce a shoot and be 

 somewhat earlier than the other eyes in the same piece. 

 Cuttings are often slightly dried and allowed to sprout 

 in the light, which produces short purple shoots (Fig. 73) 



FIG. 100 TRANSPLANTING MACHINE IN OPERATION 



The boys place plants alternately between a pair of jaws which open at 

 regulated intervals, close and set the plants in the soil. Each plant may be 

 watered at the same time. 



that develop more rapidly than do unsprouted eyes. 

 They apparently do not rob the tubers of plant food as do 

 the white shoots formed in the dark. 



Irish potato tuber cuttings, each piece including at 

 least one "eye," are dropped in the ground and allowed 

 to take their course. Much discussion has arisen as to the 

 proper size of piece. Experiment in many states and 

 under numerous soil and other cultural conditions seems 

 to favor moderate-sized tubers and cuttings rather than 

 over-sjzed ones and single eye pieces. 



