THE SIZE OF SEED POTATOES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 91, 7 June 1911, Page 7

THE SIZE OF SEED POTATOES.

* Great 'attention is now l»oi n*!; paid to the size of the seed potatoes. A large potato grower explains the reason for this fcb follows; •‘For generations it lias boon the custom for farmers to save small potatoes when lifting their crops in older to plant' them the following year, liven" to-day many of my neighbours would never think ol planting a tiiher that has been cut; there aio others who never ret a large potato, out take particular pains to hold back : 111 the small ones they grow. My plan for about, live yen is lias been to plant good-sized tubers and very lew really small ones. 1 gave the latter to tne pigs, believing that by so doing 1 am lidding my farm ol produce tin’l is not up to the mark. I bare argued Ibis question with my sons and neighbours at home and at the market for several years, and I have ~ood reason to be satisfied with the ;; suits achieved on my farm. Many of the small tubers arc the produce of plants which did not reach mate ftv, or were in some way lacking in vitality. If you plant, strong and healthy and fair-sized seed potatoes von citn confidently ‘look forward to a stiomr and healthy crop, that is, provided Ilia land is in good condition ami the season proves favourable, puis is not theory on my part for I nave planted a number of small potatoes in a portion of my garden, as an expariement, for two oi three yean, and the results have been as Staten above—they have lost their rooustand flavour, and have almost mvairiablv yielded badly. Big seed tubers are more costly, it is true, but timy pay in the long run. , My advice to growers, large or small, is, never plant a potato that weighs less than ;ioz. If you cut large tubers, do not try to got as many ‘sets’ ns possible, as three larp;e sets will produce healthier plants and perhaps more potatoes than six small ones. 1 bey will also resist disease better. Ims advice is worth consideration by our potato growers.