252 Agricultural Gazette of A'./SJF. {Ajjril 3, 1920. 



deep initial ploughing being given as early as circumstsinces permitted after 

 the harvesting of the maize crop. As every attention was paid to the 

 further preparations, the seed-beds were in very good order at planting. At 

 Coraki and Dorrigo the sets were ploughed in ; and at Brooklana and 

 Coramba, drills were opened and the sets covered by hand-hoe and harrow 

 respectively. In each case the drills were 3 feet apart and the sets 15 to 18 

 inches apart in the drills. 



Varieties. 

 While it is not suggested that any variety under trial this season should 

 replace. Manhattan as the standard for the North Coast, there are several 

 which a perusal of the results will show to be worthy of consideration. 



For the first time Up-to-Date has outyielded all others at Coramba. There 

 seems to have been a steady improvement in uniformity in size of tuber, and 

 on this occasion the product was beyond reproach. Its table qualities are 

 very good. Up-to-Date is a white-skinned, oval-shaped potato, with few 

 and shallow eyes. Its vegetative growth is tall and sj^reading ; it is a dull 

 green colour and bears heliotrope flowers. 



Factor has been under trial on the North Coast for two seasons and 

 promises to become a "main cropper." It is regarded as being a selection 

 from Up-to-Date and much resembles that variety in habit of growth, the 

 only striking difference above ground being that the flower petals of Factor 

 have (on one season's observations) cream coloured tips. Samples of this 

 variety were distributed for trial over the North Coast last season with 

 most gratifying results, the consensus of opinion -amongst the growers being 

 that it was the heaviest yielder and finest quality tuber that they had ever 

 grown. 



The result of previous seasons' work indicated that the real value of 

 Carman No. 1 on the North Coast was as a potato for home supply only, its 

 comparatively low yielding power being more than compensated for by its 

 high table qualities. This season, however, a marked improvement is shown, 

 and it seems possible that it may come into more general use. The tubers 

 of this variety are white-skinned, smooth and oblong ; and the haulms tall 

 and erect, dai'k green, and with deep cream coloured flowers. 



Coronation has received extensive trial in this district, and although it can 

 be relied upon to yield well at Dorrigo it has been discarded in the more 

 truly coastal areas. It is very subject to second growth, and matures too 

 late to be of value in the early districts of the coast. It is a blue-skinned 

 variety, very similar in appearance to Manhattan, but of a stronger and more 

 erect habit of growth and bearing white flowers. 



Satisfaction is a well estal)lished variety on the North Coast and has been 

 a consistent yielder throughout these experiments. It is an early red- 

 skinned variety of very good shape, with shallow eyes. Its haulm growth is 

 similar to, although slightly heavier than Manhattan, and bears purple 

 flowers. It hoTds the record of highest yield in the variety trials at 

 Coramba. 



