128 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



Bhuharh. — Linnaens, Victoria. 



Salsify. — 'Long White, Sandwich Island. 



Spinach. — Victoria, Thickleaved. 



Squash. — Early: "White Bush Scalloped, Summer Crook Neck; late: Hubbard. 



Tomatoes. — Early: Sparks' Earliana, Chalk's Early Jewel, Dominion Day; Main 

 crop: Brinton's Best, Trophy, Matchless (scarlet), Burpee's Climax, Autocrat, Living- 

 ston's Globe (purplish pink). 



There are many varieties of tomatoes which are almost equal in excellence and 

 productiveness. 



Turnips. — Early; Extra Early Milan, Red Top Strap Leaf. 



Swedes. — Champion Purple Ton, Skirving's Improved. 



POTATOES. 



The year IPOG was one of the most unfavourable seasons for potatoes which has 

 been experienced at the Central Experimental Farm. During the early part of the 

 summer there was sufficient rain to keep the plants growing nicely, but just after the 

 last cultivation was given, dry, hot weather set in and continued all summer, with 

 the result that the plants were stunted, the foliage dried up prematurely and there 

 was a poor crop of tubers. Moreover, during the month of July there was a veritable 

 plague of aphis which attacked the foliage of the potatoes and doubtless did their share 

 in lessening the crop. ^ 



The potatoes were planted in good sandy loam soil on May 22. This soil had 

 been well manured for strawberries the previous year but these had been killed by 

 the winter of 1905-6. The soil was well prepared by ploughing and harrowing twice 

 with the disc and once with the smoothing harrow. The drills were made 30 inches 

 apart with the double mould board plough, and about four inches deep. The sets, 

 which had at least three good eyes, were dropped one foot apart in the drills. Sixty-six 

 sets of each kind were planted and then covered with the hoe. The land v»'ns harrowed 

 before the potatoes appeared above ground that weeds might be destroyed. Cultiva- 

 tion was then practised and continued as long as possible. Practically level cultiva- 

 tion was adopted as usual, a little soil only being drawn towards the plan+-s. The 

 vines were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green four times. 



The potatoes were dug on Octol^er 1, and while the yield and tubers were small 

 there was practically no rot. This year, however, there was much less advantage than 

 usual in using the Bordeaux mixture owing to the premature drying up of tho 

 foliage from drought. 



There seems to be an increased interest in potatoes of late whlcn may be partly 

 due to the 'boom' in new varieties in England, and to the fact that blight is causing 

 the farmers more anxiety than it used to do. The result of this increase has been the 

 ofiering of more varieties for sale. It has been the aim at the Central Experii^ental 

 Farm to test as many of the new kinds as possible and this year the number of 

 varieties grown in uniform plots was 115, while 42 were grown on smaller plots. The 

 names of the thirty varieties which have yielded best are all that are published this 

 year. 



