THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



209 



rule will apply to commercial fertilizers, which, as al- 

 ready shown, should be distributed in the drills under- 

 neath the seed, and thoroughly mixed with the earth, 

 thus preventing injury by contact with the seed. In 

 the north of England, where potatoes are grown exten- 

 sively, deep furrows are made, into which well rotted 

 compost or stable manure is put. The seed is placed 

 upon the manure and covered with a large double mold- 

 board plow, which is run between the rows. It will be 

 '.seen that the manure is where a full benefit can be de- 

 rived. 



The time to plant should certainly be governed 

 largely by the seasons. In locations where extended 

 droughts occur at periods usually the same each year, 

 the planting should be done at a time which would en- 

 able a growth sufficient to withstand such dry time, or at 

 a period far enough in advance of such weather to se- 

 cure the largest growth possible towards maturing an 

 early variety. In localities where the month of July is 

 generally dry, the writer would not recommend very 

 early planting for late varieties, inasmuch as the largest 

 growth and consequent demand for moisture would oc- 

 cur about that period. To plant about the middle of 

 June would be likely to secure a good crop, as the ma- 

 t-'-ing growth would occur later in the season, during 

 the month of August or September. Where droughts 

 occur annually as late as August, early planting should 

 be the practice. Where no relation exists as to condition 

 of soil and moisture, early or late planting may be prac- 

 ticed, and should be decided upon by the demand or 

 profit to be derived. For early planting the best time 

 cannot always be determined, however it may be re- 

 garded as safe when the leaf buds of trees have swollen 

 to a considerable size. Even under the most favorable 

 circumstances, a cold spell may follow which would 

 prove disastrous. By careful observation we can soon 

 learn the earliest time it is safe to plant. Late varieties 

 may follow the early planting to suit convenience and 

 weather. An early variety planted as late as the first 

 of July is often very valuable, and can be tested on a 

 small scale before entering into the practice largely. 

 Vffy slow growers and those which are slow to mature 

 shi ulc! be planted early ; however, in relation to planting, 

 the foregoing suggestions as to conditions of moisture 

 am. soil should be taken into consideration. 



The selection of seed. It is a law in nature that 

 like produces like. An inherent tendency, however, to 

 degenerate is found where the standard of excellence 

 has been raised by careful selection and cultivation. 

 Bearing this fact in mind, the greatest care should be 

 exercised to maintain such a standard. The planting 

 of small potatoes year after year will bring about rapid 

 deterioration. To plant the largest will favor an up- 

 ward tendency. However, to plant large potatoes is ex- 

 pensive, hence the necessity of cutting to a size which 

 will utilize most of the eyes. Although most farmers 

 are not particular as to the number of eyes, the majority 

 prefer two or three to a piece. 



The one eye system requires more skill in cutting 

 and planting. Many of the pieces being small are likely 

 to become dry if not planted soon after cutting, and for 

 lack of vitality are not certain to germinate, or come up, 

 if planted in open furrows and covered with dry earth. 

 Taking into consideration that more skill is required 

 in cutting, together with the possible chances of failure 

 as shown, it is highly probable. 



The two eye system will prevail. The average man 



can soon become an expert in cutting and but little 

 care need be exercised in planting, unless it be excep- 

 tionally dry, during which time cut seed should in- 

 variably be covered with moist earth, otherwise the lia- 

 bility to fail in coming up. As a matter of economy, 

 small potatoes may be planted one season. Where a 

 large acreage is grown, the item of seed is quite an 

 outlay. While the writer would recommend that the 

 stock be maintained from fields planted with large 

 potatoes cut, a great saving can be made by planting 

 the second sorting from the product of cut seed each 

 year, being careful to avoid the selection of any seed 

 from such planting. Usually little or no difference can 

 be seen in the crop from small seed the first season. 

 By cutting off the seed end, a less number of sprouts 

 will appear, hence a larger number of marketable 



Figure 5. POTATO CUTTER. 



potatoes. Some growers believe in a change of seed. 

 Large potatoes procured from a distance of several hun- 

 dred miles has proved highly satisfactory. Growers 

 in South Carolina and Florida purchase much of their 

 seed from Aroonstook County, Maine, while seed from 

 the Eed River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota 

 is purchased largely by growers in Colorado and Kan- 

 sas. The increased yield usually pays well for the in- 

 vestment, including freight and cartage. A change 

 of seed is undoubtedly good, certainly so where no care 

 has been exercised as to selection and improvement. 

 Taking into consideration the importance of obtaining 

 pure seed from vigorous stock, it is best to purchase 

 from reliable sources. Referring again to the selection 

 of large potatoes for seed, and the reason for cutting 

 them, it may be well to state that a further object is 

 the distribution of seed. A large potato contains but 

 few more eyes than a small one it is simply a small 

 potato more fully grown. As a rule but few eyes in 

 a whole potato will sprout if planted; and four or 

 five large sprouts which become rooted in a single hill 

 are too many for the amount of nourishment and moist- 

 ure in most soils. But, to divide the potato into pieces 

 containing two or three eyes each, planting them 13 or 

 15 inches apart, a sprout from each will make the dis- 

 tribution such as to receive the greatest benefit from the 

 soil, resulting in a yield of mostly large potatoes. 



Cutting by machinery is fast superseding hand work. 

 Although doubts have been entertained as to the pos- 

 sibility of making a correct division of the eyes, the 

 wonderful success of the Aspinwall Potato Cutter has 



