148 BOARD OF AGRICULTUUE. 



a frlancc the results of tlie three wa\'S of planting. Large cards ac- 

 companving the exhii)it gave the average results in figures. These 

 may be condensed as follows : 



The Avorus;!' of 

 128 Varieties of rotiitocs. 



Method of Seed Cuttings. 



Whole Potato. (Back row).. 

 Usual Cuttings. (Mid'lo row) 

 SiDglo Eye. (Front Row)... 



One set of these figures may be deceptive. Although it appears 

 that the average weight of the potatoes in the front row (single eye 

 planting) was the greatest, the number of large potatoes was greater 

 in the back row, and the largest potatoes were there also. There- 

 fore, in every wav of viewinoj it, so far as this one trial is concerned, 

 the planting of fair-sized whole potatoes was the most satisfactory 

 in result. And this was not the result with onlv a sinu;le kind, but 

 the average of 128 different kinds treated exactly alike in every 

 respect, except the form of cutting of the seed. 



The tabular record in detail forms a mass of figures quite confus- 

 ing unless studied ver}' closely. But with patience, a good many 

 interesting facts ma}' be obtained. 



First, to show the effects of the season better than the brief state- 

 ment already given, this arrangement has been made : — 



Product :i hills 

 whole potato. 



40 Early varieties llG^oz. 



64 Late varieties 132| oz. 



As far as a comparison of varieties is concerned, the following 

 facts appear, — but it is unfair to judge of the merits of any kind 

 from observation in a single season. 



a. In productiveness alone, the seven varieties leading stand in 

 this order: — American, Giant, Burrough's Garfield, Cheeseman's 

 Seedling, Riker's Graft, Chief, Beauty of Hebron, O. K., Mam- 

 moth Prolific. 



b. In greatest number of merchantable potatoes this seems to be 

 the order of preference : — Farina, Blush No. 2, Chicago Market, 

 Defiance, Beauty of Hebron, Rural Blush, Burrough's Garfield, 

 Adirondack. 



c. Of the varieties in the two lists just given, the following are 

 objectionable because rough and of bad shape : — Chicago Market, 



