METHODS OF GROWING AND EXPERIMENTS IN 



SEEDING. 



The following methods of practice in the growing of potatoes and 

 experiments in seeding have been compiled for the purpose of placing 

 the results of experimentations into available form for the study of 

 those who may wish to acquire a knowledge of what has been done in 

 this direction. 



CUTTING AND SEEDING POTATOES. 



From the Experiment Department of Houghton Farm. 



By Prof. H. E. Alvord. 



The best method of cutting potatoes for planting has been long 

 disputed and given much attention at farmers' meetings and in 

 the agricultural press. It was decided a year ago to endeavor to 

 contribute something to the public knowledge on this subject, by mak- 

 ing comparative plantings at Houghton Farm, and, instead of report- 

 ing the result in figures, exhibiting the potatoes themselves, just as 

 grown, at the County' Fair, with such marks and explanations as would 

 enable every one to judge for himself as to the facts. 



Accordinorlv, at the New York State Fair of 1884, Mr. N. F. 

 Pierson of Seneca Castle, Ontario Count}', the largest and best in- 

 formed grower and dealer in seed potatoes in the State, was engaged 

 to make up a collection of a few pounds each from one hundred to 

 one hundred and fifty varieties successful!}' grown by him, to include 

 a number belonging to all the established classes or families of pota- 

 toes. Mr. Pierson kept the seed during the winter very successfully 

 and sent the collection to Houghton Farm in the spring of the 

 present year. As received on the first of May, the potatoes were in 

 excellent condition and represented 130 varieties, divided as follows : 



(145) 



