Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 621 



Farmers^ Experiment Plots, 



Potato Experiments, 1919-20. 



Central Western District. 



B. C. MEEK, Assistant Inspector of Agriculture. 



The following farmers co-operated with the Department in carrying out 



potato experiments during 1919-20 : — 



G. W. Kelly, Caves Roads, Oberon. 



N. S. Meek, Lindrield, Hobby's Yards. 



W. Burns?, Goongawarrie, Carcoar. 



E. Blackburn, Belar Creek, Warkt^n. 



J. L. B Korster, Fireiize, Coolah * 



J. I. Renshaw, Hampton Park, Binnaway.* 



G. J. Douglas, Fairfield, Coonabarabran.* 



The home of the potato is America, and the parts to which it is native are the 

 cool, high regions with good rainfall. It will he noted in the following results 

 that the higher the altitude and the better the rainfall the greater the retyrns. 



Whole seed gave a remarkable increase in yield over cut seed of the same 

 weight, whiA confirms similar results obtained in the previous year. Not 

 only was the germination superior, but the plants looked to yield better at 

 all stages of growth. Cultivation methods were similar in all cases, deep 

 ploughing being practised in the autumn and the plots worked with cultivator 

 and harrow as required between that time and sowing. Sets of from 1|- to 

 2 oz were sown in the furrows, about 4 inches in depth and 15 inches apart, 

 the rows being 2 feet 6 inches apart. Manure was sown along the furrows 

 by hand at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre. 



Spring sowing was made afc Warkton, but the other three areas were sown 

 in November, the month in which sowing is generally made in those locali- 

 ties. Grub and scab were only moderately in evidence, the latter being that 

 usually associated with alkaline soils. Fly (Rutherglen bug) mubt have 

 considerably reduced the yields through attacking the young green shoots of 

 the plants when at the early stage of growth. It was noticed that the fly 

 exercised discrimination in the choice of food — ^damaging Satisfaction con- 

 siderably more than Sussex and other coarse-growing varieties. Rabbits, 

 though generally neglectful of potato tops in a norm.al season, also ate off 

 the finer varieties, and passed by such as Blue Manhattan, 



Details of the Plots. 



Oberon. — The area sown here has been in continuous cultivation for over 

 twenty-five years, and constantly during that time either a winter or a 

 summer crop has been raised, care being taken to grow cereals, peas, and 

 potatoes, in rotation suited to its requirements and the market conditions. 

 Sheep were used to graze ofl" any vegetation between crops. 



*At these places the season was so unfavourable as to necessitate the cancellation of 

 the experiments. ' i 



