1905.] 



Sprouting Seed Potatoes. 



675 



interspaces. When the boxes are filled, they are piled up one 

 on the other to any height that may be found convenient. 



There is no way in which seed can be kept more safely or 

 stored in smaller compass. Moreover it can be examined and 

 overhauled at convenience, should that be found necessary. 

 The sprouts should be about 2 in. long. If much longer 

 they are apt to get broken off unless very tenderly handled. 

 The length of the sprouts, however, cannot always be regulated, 

 and sometimes they may be so long as to touch the box above. 

 There is no actual harm in this, but it is inconvenient and should 

 be prevented if possible. The best way to check growth is to 

 expose the boxes to light and air. When growth is desired 

 exclude all light. Exposure to light and air for some time before 

 planting is necessary in any case, in order to toughen the sprout 

 and enable it to be handled. When the boxes are taken into the 

 light the sprouts are very white and tender, just as they are in a 

 pit, but after a few days' exposure they become quite tough and 

 do not readily break. 



At this stage another most valuable use of the box becomes 

 apparent, viz., the facility it gives for checking the purity 

 of the stock. Among the multiplicity of varieties there are 

 scarcely two which have the same colour of stem or habit 

 of growth. Thus Puritan has a white and spindly stem 

 which becomes greenish on exposure ; Early Regent has a 

 short, sturdy stem which becomes bright red ; Maincrop 

 becomes purple. In this way it is always possible to elimi- 

 nate the " rogues " before planting, although it is a troublesome 

 operation. 



Irish farmers, as a rule, prefer to cut their seed potatoes. 

 This method has some advantages, the chief being the saving 

 of seed effected. The practice is, however, carried to ex- 

 tremes, for three or four sets are often cut from a small 

 tuber. This certainly saves seed, but it greatly reduces the 

 yield. 



Boxing almost precludes cutting. Of course the seed can 

 be cut after exposure has rendered the sprout strong enough 

 to be handled. This, however, is a tedious and expensive 

 process, and is not recommended. 



If, however, cutting is desired, the seed should be boxed 



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