CONSIDERATIONS OF SEED 



53 



satisfactory seed for the second crop, and the practice 

 of using first-crop tubers as seed for the second crop 

 is rapidly gaining ground in the South, owing to the 

 difficulty of holding seed over. 



Management of Potatoes Previous to Plant- 

 ing. The best way to hold seed potatoes is in cold 

 storage at a temperature of 33 to 35 F. Should the 

 temperature fall to freezing-point (32 F.) for a short 



2 6 



FIG. II A USEFUL POTATO TRAY FOR THE STORAGE AND 

 SPROUTING OF SEED POTATOES 



For small quantities, a useful size is 24 x 12 inches. This size will hold 



about forty pounds of tubers, and can be conveniently handled. The 



larger size holds about eighty pounds of tubers. 



time probably no harm will result, as the freezing- 

 point of potatoes is rather lower than that of water. 

 As most farmers do not have cold storage some sub- 

 stitute must be found. A cool, fairly dry cellar, or a 

 root-house, is a very good alternative, or, failing this, 

 the potatoes may be pitted outside and covered so that 

 no frost can reach them (see "Storing"). Several 

 weeks before planting the tubers should be spread out 

 on the barn floor two or three thick, in the light, to 

 quicken growth. Potatoes vary in the time they take 



