624 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. 



experiment plots, but on farms throughout the whole length of the South Coast . 

 Consequently many farmers found the Sydney market unsatisfactory, as 

 buyers hesitated to purchase South Coast potatoes because of their unreliable 

 keeping qualities. 



Of the many potato orops grown in this district (on the experiment plots 

 and elsewhere) during the last ten years, comparatively few have been found 

 profitable, owing to losses due to fungus diseases. Certainly, instances can be 

 quoted where excellent returns have been obtained when weather conditions 

 have been favourable, but the experience of the Department is that other 

 crops, such as maize, sorghum, millet, or vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas, 

 or tomatoes, would have been more profitable. It might be stated that 

 no experiments have been carried out in late sowings — say, in February. 

 Such a planting — provided good send could be secured — might prove more 

 protitalilc, as the crop would mature in the cooler weather. As a rule, 

 however, there would be difficulty in obtaining the seed for such a sowing. 

 To plant an acre of potatoes, about 10 cwt. of seed is required, and this, 

 added to the cost of preparing the ground and the subsequent cultivating, 

 makes the venture an expensive one in comparison with other crops. In 

 normal times, an acre of potatoes ])lanted under average conditions rei^resents 

 an outlay of £7, but of late years, owing to the higher price of seed, the 

 figure is much larger. 



During the last ten years, the work on the potato experiment plots in this 

 district has included trials of a good many varieties of potatoes and of a 

 number of different mixtures of artificial manures in varying quantities. 

 Perliaps some of the best results have been those obtained at Pambula, on 

 Mr. J. H. Martin's farm. Of varieties, Manhattan and Satisfaction have 

 been under test in five experiments, and have given an average yield of 

 5 tons 13 cwt.- 3 qrs. 5 lb. and 4 tons 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 19 lb. per acre respec- 

 tively. These returns are certainly good, but we found Manhattaii a poor 

 keeper and inclined to be soapy. Satisfaction, on the other hand, was of 

 fair quality, but it was frequently f.iund that the larger tubers were hollow 

 ill the centre and sometimes carried brown fleck. Four tests with Up-to-Date 

 and Carman No. 1 returned an average of 4 tons 12 cwt. 26 lb. and 4 tons 

 18 cwt. 3 qrs, 19 lb. per acre respectively. These two white-skinned 

 varieties have been very satisfactory at times, but a good deal of second 

 growth has been noted occasionally. Three tests with Early Manistee yielded 

 an average of 3 tons 9 cwt. 1 qr. 25 lb. per acre. While this variety is 

 not a heavy yielder, it is perhaps the best as regards table quality, and, on 

 account of its earliness, can be lifted before the December rains cause fungus 

 troubles to become acute. Many other varieties have been tried, but those 

 mentioned have been found to be the best. 



In manuring the crops in tests over a period of five years, P5 mixture 

 (4 parts superphosphate and 1 part sulphate of potash) gave an average 

 return of 2 tons 2 cwt. 1 qr. 23 lb. per acre over the plots sown without 

 manure. The quantity of this manure used was '2\ cwt per acre, at a cost 

 of about 17s. 6d. Not only was the yield increased by its application, but 



