156 - EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



examined. The potatoes of all the samples, both treated and untreated (the latter 

 being stored as checks) had sprouted. It was noticed that the sprouts of the treated 

 tubers were longer than those of the untreated, showing apparently that the action 

 of the acid treatment was to accelerate rather than retard the sprouting. These 

 results corroborate those obtained and reported on last year. The sprouting of the 

 untreated tubers, as well as of the treated, may probably have been assisted by the 

 presence of air which freely surrounded the potatoes in the jars. Potatoes stored 

 in a bin have smaller air spaces between them, and under such conditions it is found 

 that those on the surface are the first to sprout. It is, however, quite evident from 

 our two years' work on this subject that 2 per cent sulphuric acid has not the 

 deterrent action in preserving potatoes that has been claimed for it. 



