1906.] 



Sprouting Seed Potatoes. 



737 



The experiments on this subject carried out by the Irish 

 Department of Agriculture, which were reported in this Journal 

 (Vol. XL, p. 673, February, 1905), showed that the increase due 

 to sprouting varied in 1903 from 10 cwt. to 3 J tons, and in 

 1904 from 13 cwt. to over 6 tons. The increased yield in the 

 latter year averaged 2 tons 1 3 cwt. per acre, representing over 

 25 per cent, on the average crop from unsprouted seed, and in 

 only two cases was there a decrease. 



A similar experiment was carried out in 1905 by the Aberdeen 

 and North of Scotland College of Agriculture at nine centres 

 with a view to ascertain if the sprouting of late potatoes in the 

 comparatively late climate of the north-east of Scotland would 

 be profitable. From these trials it may be fairly assumed that 

 this system is likely to prove advantageous with late varieties 

 and in a late district in a year like 1905. The advantages of 

 sprouting are summarised by Mr. R. B. Greig in his report on 

 the experiment as follows : — ([) In a normal year the crop is 

 heavier ; (2) there are fewer small and more saleable tubers 

 from sprouted sets ; (3) in a late spring sprouted sets may be 

 planted late without a reduction of crop ; (4) where autumn 

 frosts occur little damage will be done, as the potatoes from 

 sprouted sets will be more mature ; and (5) a crop from sprouted 

 sets may be raised sooner than a crop from ordinary sets. 



The disadvantages are perhaps equally obvious. 



1. There is first the initial cost of the boxes. Potatoes will 

 sprout on a floor or in any kind of box, but the most convenient 

 size of box is 24 in. long, 12 in. wide, and 3 in. deep, with 

 corner pieces 7 in. high, so that the boxes can be piled on 

 each other to any height without interfering with ventilation- 

 It is of importance that there should be a cross handle fixed 

 into the side pieces for convenience of carrying. Such boxes 

 will hold about 20 lb. of potatoes, and can be purchased in 

 Aberdeen at 30s. per 100. 



As 100 boxes are sufficient for one acre and the boxes will 

 last several years with ordinary care, the cost is spread over, say 

 six years, and is therefore 5 s. per acre. 



2. A storage space is a difficulty where a large area is planted, 

 but where only a few acres are grown, or on crofts, the boxes 

 may be stored on the couples of the byres or cattle sheds, and 

 the sets will do quite well there. 



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