118 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



sions can be drawn. Notes were taken on the depths at which tubers were formed in 

 1899, 1900 and 1901, and it was found that most of them were within 4 inches of the 

 surface of the soil, even where the sets had ben planted 6, 7 and 8 inches deep. Where 

 the sets were planted less than 4 inches deep nearly all the tubers were formed be- 

 tween that and the surface of the soil. Two varieties, the Sir Walter Raleigh and 

 Empire State, were used in the test this year, and the average results from them are 

 given as the yields for 1901. There are several reasons why the potatoes planted from 

 1 to 3 inches deep should give the best results. Potatoes will develop more 

 rapidly in warm soil than in that which is cooler. The soil within the first three or 

 four inches of the surface is warmer than that three or four inches lower down, hence 

 the conditions are more favourable for the potato. The tubers when the potato is in 

 the wild state develop near the surface or on the surface of the ground. It seems 

 natural, therefore, that the cultivated potato should be planted shallow. 



On the other hand, much of the success of shallow planting will depend on the 

 moisture of the soil. If the season is very dry the first two inches of soil may be so 

 dry that the potato will not take root readily, and the season of growth will thus be 

 shortened, but this has not happened here during the past four years. Once the roots 

 begin to grow they speedily reach a depth where plenty of moisture is found. 



From the results obtained it seems reasonable to conclude that where sandy loam 

 soil is not dry the best results can be obtained from shallow planting. In any case, 

 early planted potatoes will probably succeed best when planted shallow, as the ground 

 will be warmer. In places where the spring is late or where the ground is cold, best 

 results will probably be had by shallow planting. 



Although the best results have been obtained in sandy loam soil by planting the 

 sets one inch deep, this method is not recommended for field culture. Unless the sur- 

 face of the soil is kept loose and free from weeds the potato crop will not be large. 

 In order to kill a large proportion of the weeds which grow, the ground should be har- 

 rowed once or twice before the potatoes come up or just as they are coming up. If the 

 sets were planted only one inch deep and the soil harrowed, many of them would be 

 dragged out, hence about four inches deep would probably be the best. 



POTATOES PLANTED AT DIFFERENT DATES. 



In 1898, an experiment was begun in planting potatoes at different dates, begin- 

 ning when the main crop was put in and continuing at intervals of two weeks. until 

 August 23, 1898 ; July 23, 1899 ; July 21, 1900 ; and July 11, 1901. An early and a 

 late variety were used each year, the varieties being Early Norther and Irish Daisy, 

 in 1898 ; Early Norther and Rural Blush, in 1899 ; Early Norther and Sir Walter 

 Raleigh, in 1900, and Early St. George and Rural No. 2, in 1901. 



In 1898 and 1899 the decrease after the third planting was so great that it appear- 

 ed as if a fair crop of marketable potatoes could not be produced when the seed wai 



