486 



Potato Growing. 



and that the profit is greater during the period in which they 

 possess "seed" value than when, through ample supply, they 

 have only a culinary value. Although the " seed " or sets may 

 cost what appears to be an abnormal price during the first four 

 or five years, and in the first year or two what, except to those 

 who have followed the work, appear almost prohibitive prices, 

 this is the most profitable period in the career of a variety. 

 The making of new breeds is best left to experts, who are the 

 introducers of new varieties; the developing then falls to 

 gardeners and farmers. As showing the possibilities of the 

 developer, for example, a certain variety recently introduced 

 sold readily at £20 or more per ton this year. It has been 

 grown by developers for three seasons, and was put on the 

 market at twenty times its present value. We will trace the 

 yield of 1 lb. of these potatoes. By growing from each eye 100 lb. 

 could be grown in the first year. From these 10,000 lb. could 

 be grown in the second year. With this quantity cutting out 

 single eyes would not be ordinarily practicable, but by cutting 

 chis nearly tons into small sets it would be quite easy to 

 grow 10 acres, giving 10 tons per acre, or 100 tons. We can 

 instance a grower who achieved this yield last year over a 

 greater acreage. Beyond the cost of growing there is nothing 

 to add but that of the original 1 lb., for there was no seed to buy 

 after the first year. What is there in connection with farming 

 that can show similar results ? 



Considerable excitement has been aroused during the past 

 few months regarding another new variety, which exhibited 

 exceptional disease-resisting properties last season, and which is 

 regarded by experts as likely to be grown over a vast area during 

 the next few years. It is now selling at 20s. per lb. We grew 

 several poles at the rate of over 13 tons per acre, every plant 

 being raised from a single eye. Our method was to cut out each 

 eye, plant it in a separate 3-inch pot, and subsequently to trans- 

 plant it ; in fact, we took just about the same amount of trouble 

 as one would with a geranium cutting. The demand is so active 

 that doubtless next year it will be shown that the unprecedented 

 price of 20s. per lb. has been a good investment. The fact is that 

 one is dealing with a small monopoly of special value, and the 

 monopoly is the nucleus of what in a few years will be required 



