CUTTING SEED POTATOES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

CUTTING SEED POTATOES.

Opinions differ upon tlio advisability or not. of cutting potiito eets. Undoubtedly a lot depends upon the size of the sets, and in many cases, as the size is beyond Ihe control of tlic planter, owing to having to buy sets, and in consequence take what i= offered, it may not be out of place to say a few words upon this subject. By experiments it lias been proved that large sets cut yield a better crop than small pets so far us usable tuhers arc concerned. It is, therefore, better to use large sets and to cut them, than to use small uncut eets. If large sets arc to be used they should be sprouted previously, so that the strongest eyes can be seen. Aβ to bow many ects one potato can be cut into depends

largely upon the number of eyes, but it is not often possible to get more than four good sets from one potato, and in many cases only two sets can be obtained. What is considered a fair-sized potato to plant whole, and best to cut? It is a mistake to use a smaller tuber than two inches in diameter for planting, and unless the supply is short tubers of this size, should not be cut. If the tutor is over three inches in diameter it should be cut, providing it has. strong shoots Practically there is no limit to the size of the tuber which can be used for planting purposes.