128 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



closure was continued this year witli results confirming those of last year in some 

 respects, while in others owing to the extremely cool, cloudy season the difference in 

 favoiir of cheesecloth wa.s not so marked, and in some cases vegetables which had done 

 better in 1903 inside than out, this year did better outside than in. Radish, cauli- 

 flower, lettuce, beans, and onions were tested this year. It was again found that 

 radish and cauliflower grown inside the inclosure were free of maggots except in an 

 occasional instance in the case of the cauliflower where the plants had evidently been 

 rfl'ectcd in the hot-bed before setting out in the inclosure. This preventative of root 

 maggots should be more widely utilized, especially among amateurs, where these in- 

 sects are troublesome. Both radish and cauliflower develope very satisfactorily in the 

 inclosure. In lUOC radish was ready for use inside tbe inclosure three days earlier 

 than outside, this year radishes were two days later than outside, but the radishes re- 

 mained fit for use nearly a week longer inside than out, the radishes, when they had 

 reached a large size, being still crisp and tender. Whether it would pay commercially 

 or not is still doubtful. The cauliflower outside was practically a failure, inside it was 

 quite satisfactory. Ivcttuce was ready for use in 1903 in the inclosure two to four 

 days later than outside; this year it was ready two days earlier inside. Beans were 

 ready for use in 1903 in the inclosure three days sooner than outside, and the yield 

 was 14 quarts outside and 11 quarts inside. This year the beans were ready for use 

 inside one to two days later than outside, the yield inside being 58 quarts, while out- 

 side it was 53 quarts. There was no apparent difference between the onions planted 

 outside and inside. 



The cheesecloth used in 1903 was used again this year, but it tore considerably 

 during the latter part of the season, and gave trouble. Two years is the longest time 

 that this cheesecloth, which cost 5 cents a yard, may be expected to last. 



POTATOES. 



The season of 1004 was favourable to the potato crop at the Central Experimental 

 Farm, as the blight did not appear until late, and there was little rot in the field. The 

 yields of 73 varieties are published in the following table, all grown in the same sized 

 plots. The Vermont Gold Coin, which was tested for the first time in 1903, headed the 

 list this year, yielding at the rate of 554 bushels 24 pounds per acre. This is a very 

 promising variety. Between this variety and the lowest yielder, the Early Andes, 

 which only yielded at the rate of 123 bushels 12 pounds per acre, there is a difference 

 of 431 bushels 12 pounds per acre, which is more than three times the average yield 

 per acre for the province of Ontario, striking evidence of the importance of planting 

 only the most productive varieties. 



The soil in whicji the potatoes were planted was good sandy loam, the previous crop 

 being strawberries. The soil was given a heavy dressing of barnyard manure for the 

 slrawberi'ies in the spring of 1902, but had not received any since. The land was ploughed 

 in the summer of 1903, and again in the spring of 1904, and thoroughly harrowed with 

 the disc and smoothing harrows shortly before planting. The drills, which were 2^ feet 

 apart, were made with the double mould board plough and were about 4 inclies deep. The 

 tets were of good size, having at least three eyes, it having been found that, taking on 3 

 year with another, this is the best kind to use. There were 66 sets of each variety planted 

 1 foot apart in a single row. The sets were covered with the hoe to ensure more uniforjn 

 conditions. Level cultivation was adopted and the potatoes were cultivated four tin.c.*, 

 and sprayetl four times with Bordeaux mixture. 



