340 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL - OCIETY. 



In 1884 it was decided to try and contribute something to the knowl- 

 edge of thi subject, by making comparative plantings at Houghton 

 farm and instead of reporting the result in figures, exhibiting at va- 

 rious fairs, the pototoes themselves, just as grown, with such marks 

 and explanations as would enable everyone to judge for himself as to 

 the facts. 



Accordingly, at the New York State Fair of 1884, the well known 

 potato grower, Mr. N. F. Pierson, of Seneca Castle, Ontario county, 

 was engaged to make up a collection of a few pounds each from 100 

 to 150 varieties successfully grown by him, to include a number be- 

 longing to all the established classes or families of potatoes. Mr. Pier- 

 son kept the seed through the winter very successfully and sent the 

 collection to Houghton farm in the spring of 1885. As received on 

 the first of May, the potatoes were in excellent condition, and repre- 

 sented 130 varieties, divided as follows : eight new, early varieties, 32' 

 approved early varieties, 24 new late varieties and 60 approved late 

 varieties. 



The place selected for planting was part ot an old garden, cropped 

 for two or three years with onions and cucumbers for seed. The soil 

 was similar to the black soil so well-known in the onion growing dis- 

 tricts of Orange county. It was not first rate potato ground, but was 

 convenient for the purpose and well protected from interference and 

 accidents, which was an important point. The land, after t^^ing put 

 in a good mechanical condition, received a moderate and very even 

 dressing of muriate of potash and phosphatic lime, harrowed in. 



The land was carefully laid out in squares, a space nine feet square- 

 being allowed for every variety. It was decided to plant the potatoes 

 in three different ways as to form of seed, and with three hills in each' 

 way, to guard against accident. This gave nine hills of every variety, 

 and the whole field was planted three feet apart both ways. A large 

 stake marked with the number of the lot, was set at the middle of 

 every square. It would have been difficult to find anywhere a piece of 

 land more uniform in every respect throughout its area, and less liable 

 to affect single hills of potatoes from local causes. 



The potatoes were planted on the 20th of May, (the ground not 

 being suitable earlier), and as I selected and cut all the seed, while 

 my principal assistant, Mr. Emery, planted every hill, I am certain 

 that in this part of the work, all were treated exactly alike, and there 

 was no possibility of error. The squares of different varieties were so- 

 placed that the hills of like seedings formed rows across the field, and 

 the different kinds were planted in the same order as that in which 

 they were exhibited at the fairs. The earliest varieties were together 



