146 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



8 new early varieties, 32 approved early varieties, 24 new late varie- 

 ties and GG api)roved late varieties. 



Tlie place selected for [)lauting was part of an old garden cropped for 

 two or three years with onions and cucumbers for seed. The soil 

 was similar to the black soil so well known in the onion-growing dis- 

 tricts of the county. It was not lirst-ratc potato ground, but was 

 convenient for the purpose and well protected from interference and 

 accidents, which was an important point. The land, after being put 

 in good mechanical condition, received a moderate and ver}' ever- 

 dressing of muriate of potash and phosphate of lime, harrowed in. 



Tlie land was carefully laid out in squares, a space nine feet square 

 being allowed for every variety. It was decided to plant the varieties 

 in three different ways as to form of seed, and with three hills in each 

 way, to guard against accident. This gave nine hills of every variety, 

 and the whole field was planted three feet apart both ways. A large 

 stake marked with the number of the lot was set at the nsiddle hill 

 of every square. It would have been difficult to find anywhere a 

 piece of land more uniform in every respect throughout its area and 

 less liable to affect single hills of potatoes from local causes. 



The potatoes were planted on the 20th of May (the ground not being 

 suitable earlier) and as I selected and cut all the seed in person, while 

 m}' principal assistant, Mr. Emery, planted every hill, I am certain 

 that in this part of the work all were treated exactly alike, and there 

 was no possibilit}' of error. The squares of different varieties were 

 so placed that the hills of like seeding formed rows across the field, 

 and the ditferent kinds were planted in the same order as that in 

 which they were exhibited at the Fair. The earliest varieties were 

 together at the left and so on to the right, where the latest varieties 

 were placed. Of every variety three hills were planted with one fair 

 ■whole potato, about the size of a hen's egg ; three others had in each 

 hill one good-sized piece of a good-sized potato, the piece having 

 three or four eyes on it ; and the three remaining hills were planted 

 each with one eye upon a rather small piece cut from a good-sized 

 potato. It is needless to add that throughout the growing season the 

 bills of the whole lot were treated exactly alike ; no operation w^as 

 performed which would affect the produce of one hill that was noi 

 applied to all the hills the same day. The usual culture of the field 

 potatoes was followed, but ver}^ little hilling was done. 



The season was extremely unfavorable for the crop. During the 

 months of June and July, the rainfall was less than four inches, in- 



