Raising Potato Seed.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 5

Raising Potato Seed.

Potato flowers are often very 'abundant, but not bo much can be said of the fruit. Some varieties are muoh more apt to produce the fruit, usually called " balls,"! than other?. Two years ago we made some extended observations upon the fruiting tendency of several kinds of potatoes, and it was found that in those varieties producing little or no seed there was a lack of pollen in the stamens. For the production of seed, at least two parts of a flower are required to be in a healthy condition. First, there needs to be a vigorous seed vessel, bearing good sound young seeds (ovules), and substantial stamens, producing the pollen, or flower dust as it is sometimes called. In the majority of potato flowers there is a— so to speak — "fatty degeneration," to ÜBe a stockbreeding phrase, of the stamens, and the pollen is abortive, and consequently the pistils, whioh seem healthy, are unable to produce seed. This condition of things may be a result of the continued praotioe of prdpagating the potato from year to year by meanß of tubers, and not relying upon the seed as a means of continuing the species. New sorts originate by sowing the seeds, and therefore those who wish to produce crosses between the best varieties, to combine their good qualities, should bear in mind that good pollen iB one of the essentials, and Bhould be governed in their selections accordingly. — American Agriculturist,