158 The Potato 



in such shaped pieces that will give the largest number 

 having eyes from the seed end. Seed of size to make two 

 pieces should be halved through center of seed end group 

 of eyes. Tubers short and round enough 'to make foiu- 

 pieces without their being too long and slender should be 

 quartered through the seed end group. Those which 

 will make too slender quarters cut in this way should be 

 cut once lengthwise and then transversely, making four 

 blocky pieces. Many tubers will be the right size and 

 weight to furnish three seed pieces. These should be 

 cut with one piece taken off the stem end about one-third 

 of the length from the stem and the remainder of the 

 tuber halved through the seed end group of eyes. This 

 gives two out of three pieces with a more vigorous seed 

 end eye and the third being cut with a little more flesh 

 to make up for the slower start given by its eyes compared 

 with those of the seed end. 



Fairly blocky seed large enough for six pieces is cut in a 

 similar way, splitting the stem end into two pieces and 

 the seed end into four. Seed cutting into more than 

 six pieces often has so few eyes, compared with the amount 

 of flesh, that it is difficult to cut well, especially towards 

 the stem end. The seed end of such large seed should 

 usually be cut into four pieces. 



(3) To make sure of one good eye on every seed piece, 

 it is well to have two wherever possible. 



(4) The average weight of the seed must be adjusted 

 to* the needs of the crop for the soil planted. Garden 

 soils will need little more than the eye itself to produce 

 plants, while soils in very poor condition need large seed 

 to furnish nourishment to the young growing plant for 

 some time before it can grow roots far enough to support 

 itself. The commonest size of seed used runs from one 



