674 



Sprouting Seed Potatoes. 



[FEB., 



cultivation, manuring, and general treatment on each farm were 

 the same for sprouted and unsprouted seed. In 1904 similar 

 experiments were carried out in 34 centres. 



The increase due to sprouting varied in 1903 from 10 cwt. to 

 3i tons, and in 1904 from 13 cwt. to over 6 tons. The increased 

 yield in the latter year averaged 2 tons 13 cwt. per acre, repre- 

 senting over 25 per cent, on the average crop from unsprouted 

 seed, and in only two cases was there a decrease. 



The chief advantage of sprouting is that a few weeks' growth 



secured in the boxes before the seed is planted. Consequently 

 if the two kinds of seed are planted about the same time, the 

 crop from the sprouted seed is ready for lifting several weeks 

 before that from the unsprouted seed. Again, if a farmer has 

 seed sprouted and the soil is wet and cold, or the conditions 

 unfavourable, he may delay planting for a time. Further, on 

 freshly tilled land the sprouted potatoes make such an extremely 

 rapid growth as to smother the weeds for the whole season. 



Another advantage gained by sprouting seed is that the first 

 bud is preserved, and the plant is therefore more vigorous 

 throughout the season ; whereas with unboxed seed the first bud 

 when it exists is tender and usually gets broken off. 



The size of the box recommended for general use is : length, 

 24 in. ; width, 12 in. ; depth, 3 in. The corner pieces are 7 in. 

 in height, and sufficiently strong for the boxes to rest one on 

 the top of the other when piled for winter storage. 



The handle-bar is made very strong and tenoned into the end 

 pieces, the whole forming a light, handy, durable utensil which, 

 with ordinary care, will last for years. The boxes are not ex- 

 pensive, the cost varying from 30s. to 35s. per 100, according 

 to the quality of the timber and the number of boxes bought at 

 one time. Each box holds about 20 lb. of potatoes or six boxes 

 hold about 1 cwt. 



The seed potatoes are filled into the boxes until level with the 

 sides. No earth is mixed with them and no water added ; nor 

 need particular care be taken to have the eyes set ^upwards. 

 The potatoes are simply poured indiscriminately into the boxes, 

 and left to sprout. If large sets are used they will be one deep 

 in the boxes, but smaller ones may be two or three deep. This 

 does not matter as the sprouts find their way up through the 



