1919.] 



EXPERIMENTS ON YAM CULTIVATION. 



169 



The plants were put in prepai-ed holes, three feet by three apart 

 with the following results : — 



As in the previous year the above results show that the difference is 

 very small and within the limits of experimental error; it can be safely 

 concluded therefore that there is no special advantage in selecting any 

 special part of the tubers for planting. 



SIZE OF PLANTS. 



With a view of ascertaining the correctness of the statement made 

 by several interested in yam cultivation " that a large plant gives a 

 larger yield than a small plant " the following experiment was carried 

 out. 



Holes were dug three feet apart, eighteen inches deep and filled in the 

 usual way. Duplicate plots were planted with plants a quarter, a half 

 and one pound each respectively and the following results were 

 obtained : — 



The results are not conclusive as far as the yield is concerned, but 

 they show that there is no advantage to be gained in using larger size 

 plants than a quarter of a pound. The extra value of the half and one 

 pound plants was ?i36.30 and 1108.90 p3r acre respectively. 



METHOD OF PLANTING 

 Several points arise as regards the method of planting such as : — 

 (1.) Is it more profitable to plant in holes or in trenches ? 

 (2.) What is the best planting distance ? 



(3.) Is it necessary to have large holes filled with trash or manure? 

 (4.) Is there any advantage in staking the vine? 



For theae experiments trenches were dug four and three feet apart 

 and planted at distances of one foot, eighteen inches, two and three 

 feet apart respectively. Holes were dug four feet by three feet, four 



