1906.] 



Potato Growing. 



17 



Storing of Seed. — During the past four years different- methods 

 of storing seed have been tested, and the practicabiHty of growing 

 in the later districts considerably larger crops than formerly has 

 been clearly demonstrated. 



(i ) Boxing in Autumn. — According to this method, which has 

 been largely adopted for some years by the growers of early 

 potatoes, seed-size tubers are placed in the autumn in shallow 

 boxes containing no soil or other material, and stored throughout 

 the winter in tiers in a cool, well-ventilated and well-lighted shed. 

 No artificial heat need be used. From time to time the order of 

 the boxes in the tiers should be reversed so as to ensure an 

 equal amount of light to all the potatoes. This treatment leads to 

 the "greening" of the tubers and the development of short, sturdy, 

 green spiouts. It is a method, however, that involves a good deal 

 of labour at a time when work presses, and, further, accommoda- 

 tion for boxes is often lacking on farms at this season of the year. 



(2.) Boxing in Winter or Early Spring. — This method permits 

 of tubers being " pied " straightway in autumn and transferred to 

 boxes in winter or early spring, whenever weather conditions are 

 suitable and men can be spared for the work. The question of 

 accommodation also and of protection from frost is not so 

 serious in spring. 



It is satisfactory to know that quite as good crops have been 

 grown from seed stored in the latter way as in the former. 



" Greening " of the tubers, which is secured by the first method, 

 has evidently no influence on the yield — the main thing seems 

 to be the removal of the seed from the pie or clamp before 

 sprouting has much developed. 



A very convenient box is the one shown on p. 18. From lOO 

 to 120 of these will be required per acre, and the cost may vary 

 from 303. to 40s. per acre. The boxes should last several years. 



(3.) Fixing in Autumn and Planting direct from the Pie. — Both 

 ofthe methods just described have proved superior to the ordinary 

 one of planting direct from the pie. All three were first compared 

 i 1 1903. For the test in that year the variety planted was Up-to- 

 Date, and an advantage of 2 tons per acre followed the use of 

 boxed seed. In 1904 five varieties (second early and late) showed 

 an advantage of 33 cwt. per acre in favour of boxed seed. In 

 1905 an average increase of i ton per acre was produced at 

 Garforth by seven varieties. 



