THE POTATO IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



25 



by hand a closer examination can be given the seed, the diseased potatoes readily 

 avoided, and a better division of the eyes can be secured. When seed-potatoes are 

 cut by hand a free or stationary knife may be used. The knife that is stationary 

 is stuck up through a board so that the blade is in a handy position, with the edge 

 pointing out. By this method potatoes can be cut faster than with the free hand, 

 but the work accomplished will not be as satisfactory. 



In cutting potatoes with the free hand no hard-and-fast rule can be given. 

 Opinions differ as regards the best way to cut potatoes. It rests with the man 

 cutting the potatoes to use his own judgment. The writer has several ideas, all of 

 which he considers satisfactory. In cutting the ordinary run of potatoes where the 



Fig. 10. Potato as shown in Fig. 13 when cut (original). Note the disease- 

 free stem-end. 



Fig. IT. Potato as shown in Fig. 14 whon cut (original). Note the discoloured 

 stem-end ; affected potatoes should not be used for seed. 



