24 MARCH 1917, Page 12

POTATOES.

[To THE EDITOR. Or THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sia,—Lord Desborough made an excellent suggestion for providing potato sets for seed. My gardener tells me, however, that single eyes cut from the potato will only produce small tubers fit for seed. He has adopted a still better plan for increasing the supply of seed. He has sprouted a quantity of potatoes of food size in a greenhouse. He then cuts off each shoot with the exception of the strongest. The smaller shoots are at once planted in leaf- mould, and will, he says, make excellent seed for another year. The main potato with its single strong shoot will produce large

potatoes for food.—I am, Sir, &c., F. C. LODES-SYMONDS. Hinton Manor, Faringdon, Berks.