24 



THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Immature Seed. In certain districts it may be well to obtain seed regularly 

 from northern districts or districts where the seed 1 is slightly immature. This 

 would apply more to districts where the summers are dry and the crop does not 

 retain its vigour. Experiments have been carried on at several experimental sta- 

 tions in which potatoes have been planted at various dates in May, June, and July 

 in one year and the product all planted on the same date the following year in 

 separate plots; the results have been greater yields from that crop the seed of 

 which came from the July-planted potatoes of the previous year; the reason being 

 that the July-planted 1 crop of the first year produced immature potatoes. 



Figs. 14, 15. A method of cutting seed-potatoes when eyes are numerous (original). 



Another striking instance of the value of immature potatoes for seed is given 

 by Ontario. Seed produced in Northern Ontario produces greater yields when 

 planted in Southern Ontario than does the home-grown seed, the reason being that 

 the northern-grown seed) is produced in a cool climate, where the crop gets cut off 

 early by frost and therefore does not mature. The tubers are checked in growth, 

 but are full of vitality. 



In Great Britain seed-potatoes from the south of England do not give as high 

 yields as those from Ireland and Scotland ; the latter countries being cool and the 

 former warm and dry. 



British Columbia, being northern to the United States, should be in a position 

 to supply seed in large quantities to that country. 



Cutting Seed. Many machines have been invented for cutting seed, but none 

 are able to give as good results as the hand-knife, because where potatoes are cut 



