EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



219 



In all the plats the seed was dropped 1 ft. by 3^ ft. and if this were 

 increased or diminished a corresponding ditference would be made in the 

 amount of seed. 



It may seem like heavy seeding to use over 20 bushels per acre; but, as 

 the average of three varieties, we found a net gain of 53 bushels per acre 

 over the yield obtained from 10 bushels, and as compared with single eyes 

 of 133 bushels per acre. 



Although the land was well drained, the cold spring may have been the 

 cause of the slow development of the small pieces but it could not have 

 made the difference with the whole large potatoes. 



Which is best — the half of a large potato, or a medium-size ichole one 

 of the same weight as the lialf? 



It is the custom with many farmers, when assorting potatoes, to save for 

 planting such as are rather small for market, and about the size of a hen's 

 egg. It will certainly be economy to use them, if as large a return can be 

 secured as if large seed be used either whole or cut into pieces. 



To test this point an experiment was carried out as follows: Seventy- 

 five large potatoes of even size, weighing seven ounces each. Plant fifty of 

 them in two rows; cut the others into two pieces each and use them for two 

 other rows. Select and plant in the same way an equal number weighing 

 half and quarter as much. Also plant fifty single eyes cut as large and 

 deep as possible, and the same number cut shallow. Owing to a misunder- 

 standing the selections were not properly made, but in the table the yield 

 from whole tubers weighing 3^ oz., halves weighing If oz., whole tubers 

 weighing IJ oz., and halves weighing f oz. will afford us some evidence on 

 the subject. 



Table Yl.— Thorhurn. 



