Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1874 — Seed From Potato Balls. [ARTICLE]

Seed From Potato Balls.

The Cittuttia Farmer , in answer io a correspondent who asks for a proper method of saving potato seed from the balls so as to have it fit to sow, says that the method usually pursued is to wash the seed clean from the pulp, and then thoroughly dry them before sowing. “In the fall, the borries or apples of the old stock are hung in a warm room, and toward the end of winter the seed is washed outfdiritfd antrxfresCTved 111 ardry place, in cloth or paper bags, until sowing time. Some prefer taking the ball or apple when perfectly ripe, drying it, and disengaging the seed by rubbing it out with the hand. When this course is taken, the seed is preserved in bags, in a dry plaee. unlil springV precisely as is done on the other method.” As to the augmenting of new varieties the Same journal adds: “It requires no small patience and judgment to originate a potato really worth cultivating Success most not be too readily taken for granted. A variety should be thoroughly tested before its excellencies are blazoned forth in advertisements. Anyone who undertakes to experiment in this line of things will arrive at appreciation- and admiration of the persevering labors of others who have given choice varieties of potatoes to the world before lie will achieve distinction in this direction himself. We do not say this to discourage endeavors by any means, but simply to suggest to experimenters the wisdom and propriety of counting the cost of the undertaking. What man lias done man can do, and just as therc are as good fish in [lie sea as ever came out of it, so assuredly there are as good potatoes to be originated in the future as ever have been in the past, and possibly boiler.” — r? —: —