210 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



potatoes are planted in most northern sections from about the 

 middle of May until the middle of June, or even later sometimes. 

 Perhaps the safest guide as to the time of planting is to make in- 

 quiry among local growers. Most farm communities have one 

 or more highly successful potato growers and their judgment in 

 this matter should be a safe guide. 



1. When do you think potatoes should be planted in your com- 



munity? What are your reasons for selecting a certain 

 time? 



2. When are potatoes planted in the leading potato-grovnng districts 



of the United States and Canada? Fr : 96. Gi : 142-146. 



3. Whai factors should be considered in deciding on the date of 



planting? Fr : 97. Gi : 142-146. 



7. Cutting seed. — Yields are reduced by cutting the seed 

 several days or more in advance of planting. It is always best 

 to cut the seed the same day it is planted, or at most not more 

 than twenty-four hours before the cut pieces will be planted. 



Numerous experiments have been made to determine the best 

 size of the pieces. This depends upon a number of factors such 

 as the amount of seed available, cost of seed, fertility of the soil, 

 variety to be planted, culture given, and the probable price that 

 will be realized for the crop. Generally speaking, the pieces should 

 be fairly large and should contain at least one good eye; two 

 are better. In very rich garden soils the pieces need not be so 

 large as in poorer soils. It is desirable when possible to cut the 

 tubers so that one or more eyes at the stem end of the tuber will 

 be included in the piece. Some tubers should be halved through 

 the center of the group of eyes at the seed end. Larger tubers may 

 be quartered from end to end, while others will make three good 

 pieces. If the pieces are fairly large and contain at least one good 



