348 GARDEN FARMING 



potatoes the term is never confused, as it is universally applied to 

 the tubers for planting, which are used either whole or cut. 



There are many different methods of seed treatment followed by 

 successful potato growers. Some plant small, whole potatoes, while 

 others select medium-sized, perfectly formed tubers and cut them 

 so that each piece shall contain one or two eyes. Some cut the 

 potato in two, discarding the so-called stem end, and use for seed 

 purposes only the portion which has the most eyes concentrated 

 upon it. Whether or not there is any advantage in this peculiar 

 practice cannot well be determined, but successful growers have 

 their fads and follow them. A good safe practice is to select 

 medium-sized potatoes, and cut them into pieces having at least 

 two eyes each, to which a considerable portion of the stored starchy 

 material adheres. It is believed that with the potato, as with other 

 plants, the more food material that can be carried into the soil 

 with the eyes, the stronger will be the growth that results. Some 

 growers go so far as to cut the seed several weeks in advance of 

 the time when it is to be planted, claiming that the healing and 

 drying processes which come after cutting are a benefit, since the 

 dry, warm soil in which the seed is placed does not draw moisture 

 from the seed so treated but tends to contribute moisture to the 

 seed, thus causing quick germination. This is a point which re- 

 quires further evidence for proof. Many of the most successful 

 European growers use only whole tubers for seed, and these not 

 less than 4 ounces in weight. Recent developments in the irri- 

 gated potato-growing areas indicate the superiority of whole tubers 

 for seed. 



While there are grounds for differences of opinion regarding the 

 size of seed pieces and between whole and cut seed, there can be 

 no question that the seed should be selected from healthy plants 

 and from vigorous productive hills. Seed selection is as effective 

 in the improvement of the potato as in the improvement of corn. 



Treatment of seed for scab. The treatment of seed for the early 

 crop is believed to be as important at the South, where the pota- 

 toes are marketed immediately after harvesting, as at the North. 

 The treatment of potatoes to control potato scab has become a 

 regular practice among the most successful growers at the North. 

 Either of two practices may be followed to accomplish this result : 



