Show Notions About I Seed Potatoes I Doubtful Whether There Is Any Difference in y Value of Each End Prepare PreparO by the tha United States Department of Agriculture Much experimental work has hns been done with the potato to det determine the thebert best bert methods of ot treating the seed to secure the lie most satisfactory tory yields The results have varied to the point of ot confusion contusion In many Instances In technical bulletin No T 5 Source Character and Treatment Treatment- of ot Potato Sets Just Issued by the United States Department of ot Agriculture William Stuart reviews the results of ot noteworthy noteworthy noteworthy note note- worthy experimental work and In addition addition addi addi- tion presents the results of ot the department department department de de- de- de Investigations on the source source- character and treatment of potato seeds Value of End for Seed The relative value of ot the seed and stem end of ot the tuber for or seed purposes pur pur- poses hoses has Served as ns a n basis of numerous numerous numer numer- ous studies both In this this' country and andIn andin In foreign countries to determine which portion of ot the tuber will ordinarily ordinarily ordinarily produce the larger yield Some growers are so firmly convinced that the seed end of the tuber Is undesirable able for seed purposes that they clip It ofT off and anti discard It IL Other growers are equally convinced that the seed end is superior to the stem end for tor planting These different viewpoints have been responsible for repeated efforts efforts ef ef- forts to demonstrate the superiority of one over oyer the other After a n study of the literature in which each end of ot the potato has hns proved superior to the other In different differ durer- ent cut tests Mr Stuart concludes that It is doubtful whether there Is any real superiority of ot one end over the theother theother theother other for seed purposes The data as aa aaa asa a n whole however seem to Indicate that as the weight of the set increases there Is a greater response from the seed seed end than from the stem end set Greening Process Sprouting seed potatoes In the light before planting them a n process known as greening has bas long been practiced by growers of early potatoes In most European countries in an effort to hasten the development of tubers 01 ol marketable size early In the season Greening is not yet a commercial practice practice tice in the United States In fact the department studies covering a period of years in four Cour different localities show ShiW rather conflicting results when yearly early comparisons are made or when the average yields for the period ar are considered Detailed discussion of the subject Is Included In the bulletin Consi Consideration Is also given to the advisability ad nd of planting immature rather than mature seed A copy of ot the bulletin may be obtained ob tamed by writing wilting to the United States Department of ot Agriculture Washington Washing ton D. D C. C |