Jan. 2, 1920.] 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



41 



The value of a green manure is also indicated at Dumaresq, where fed-ofF 

 oats were ploughed under as the potatoes were planted. The rainfall here 

 was very low, but the yields were above Uralla, and Llangothlin with a better 

 rainfall. The planting was later at Dumaresq, so that also must be con- 

 sidered. Arrangements have been made here to precede potatoes with two 

 years to sweet clover and rye grass. 



South-western Slopes. 



G. C. SPARKS, Acting Inspector of Agriculture. 



In carrying out last season's potato experiments in this district, the Depart- 

 ment had the co-operation of Messrs. E. M. Herring, " 8heen," Batlow, and 

 H. and R. Heinecke, Tumbarumba. Adverse weather conditions caused 

 total crop failure at Tumbarumba; but while the Batlow plots suffered 

 severely from the sustained dryness, the autumn rain came in time to ensure 

 satisfactory yields. 



At Batlow the plots were on virgin basalt soil, typical of the soils of the 

 district. The land was ploughed in March, twice cultivated with spading 

 harrow, harrowed, and sets ploughed in on 28th November, the rows being 

 36 inches apart, and the sets 15 inches apart. The variety trial wa* 

 manured with 3 cwt. of P7 mixture per acre. The effective rainfall was 

 r2-29 inches. 



Results of Variety Trials at Batlow. 



Variety. 



Marketable. 



Small. 



Percentage 

 marketable. 



Up-to-Date 

 Coronation 

 Factor ... 

 Brownell's Beauty 

 Carman No. ] ... 

 Early Vermont 

 Early ilanistee 



1. 



7 



5 



5 



4 



4 



2 



o 



0. 



2 

 13 



1 

 17 

 13 

 19 

 19 



lb. 

 20 



S 

 



s 



24 



4 



16 



t 

 

 1 

 



1 





 

 



c. 

 14 



1 

 14 



2 



8 

 19 

 11 



lb. 



20 

 8 

 4 

 8 

 8 

 



16 



90-6 

 7803 

 88 18 

 80 9 

 91 5 

 754 

 80-59 



The season was particularly unfavourable for early varieties, as they were 

 compelled to complete their growing period under distinctly hostile condi- 

 tions, whereas the tate matuiers were enabled to develop under circumstances 

 much more favourable. The results of previous experiment in this locality 

 would seem to indicate that very early varieties are unlikely to prove successful 

 under nornial weather conditions. This experiment tends to increase the 

 claims of Up-to-Date as a main crop variety for Batlow, where it has now 

 been on trial for four seasons, and on each occasion has compared very favour- 

 ably with Coronation (the local standard). It will be seen that this year 

 XJp-to Date outyielded Coronation by upwards of 29 cwt. per acre, at the s"ame 

 time producing a much greater uniformity of tuber. Factor is another 

 promising variety, also a white skin, and of admirable table quality. 



