l86 FARM CROPS 



formly low temperature of 33 to 40 degrees during 

 the winter and not allowed to sprout in early spring 

 will give stronger and more vigorous plants than 

 those kept under less favorable conditions, because 

 they will not be wilted nor will their stored energy 

 have been dissipated by premature sprouting. 



Another governing factor in the vigor of the 

 plant is that of the size of seed tuber used. Gen- 

 erally speaking, the use of one-eye seed pieces will 

 not give as good results as medium-sized tubers 

 halved or planted whole. There are some excep- 

 tions, however, to this rule, as in the case of va- 

 rieties having numerous eyes, each of which is 

 capable of producing several sprouts. With such va- 

 rieties, a one or two-eye piece will give better satis- 

 faction than a whole or half tuber. The selection of 

 vigorous, prolific varieties of good quality ma- 

 terially aids in the production of a profitable potato 

 crop. A good commercial variety of potato for 

 most markets should have white or flesh-colored 

 skin, be smooth and regular, roundish-oblong or 

 kidney-shaped, shallow eyes and mealy when 

 cooked. 



Seed Bed and Cultivation. — ^Under no circum- 

 stances should the potatoes be planted until the 

 seed bed has been thoroughly fined and compacted. 

 Go over it with an ordinary harrow until every clod 

 is broken up and the entire portion turned by the 

 plow thoroughly compacted. Plant in rows. Some 

 people check, but in most potato-growing districts 

 this is not necessary. If the soil is naturally fer- 

 tile and free from weeds, the potato crop can be 

 kept clean without checking, and, as a rule, larger 

 crops produced. Cultivating potatoes is of very 

 great importance. Not only must weeds be kept 



