Aprils, 1920.] AgriculUiral Gazette of N.S.W. 251 



c 



Farmers^ Experiment Plots* 



Potato Experiments, 1918-19. 



North Coast District. 



G. C. SPARKS, Acting Inspector of Agriculture. 



The farmers' potato experiments on the North Coast for the past season 

 were located as follows : — 



F. T. Johnston, Condong, Tweed River. 



G. A. Forrest, Coraki, Richmond River. 

 C. Oliver, " Laureldale," Yorklea. 

 Albert Eggins, '• Bromley," Grafton. 

 John Wilson, Coramba. 



Frank Allard, "Glenrose," Brooklana. 



Henry Short, " War ra wee," Dorrigo. 

 The season under review was an extremely unfavourable one for potato 

 culture. Following a severe winter, very dry conditions prevailed through- 

 out the spring, these being particularly marked in districts north of the Orara ; 

 of the experiments located within this area Coraki was the only one to come 

 to harvest, and even that harvest was a meagre one. At Coramba, however, 

 although the precipitation was much below normal, the careful preparation 

 of the soil and the skilful after-cultivation practised carried the crop safely 

 through, yields approaching 7 tons per acre being secured. The Dorrigo 

 experiment, although subjected to dry conditions, received sufficient moisture 

 for satisfactory development. There was a total absence of fungoid disease ; 

 the resultant yields were the heaviest of the series and the greatest that have 

 yet been secured over the three seasons of experimental work on the plateau. 

 At Brooklana, which has invariably proved itself a safe district, results were 

 practically uniform with other years. 



Soil and Cultural Details. 



Brooklana. — Basalt soil, fairly heavy, yellow, typical of eastern Dorrigo. 

 Planted 26th November, 1918. Effective rainfall 11-88 inches. 



Dorrigo. — Basalt, red, deep, friable. Planted 10th September, 1918. 

 Effective rainfall 10'68 inches. 



Coramba. — Alluvial soil, medium heavy, dark. Planted 27th August, 

 1918. Effective rainfall 4-20 inches. 



Coraki. — Typical]Richmond River swamp land. Drained and under culti- 

 vation seven years. Planted 14th August, 1918. Rainfall not available. 



In each case the land had been under maize during the previous summer, 

 and the preparation of the soil for these trials was practically identical, the 



