FARM DEPARTMENT. 223 



aid in starting the seed to grow. If the ground is sticky and wet, a crust 

 will be formed by rolling, which is not desirable. 



The plants came up very uniformly. In rows containing 100 hills there 

 would be no perceptible difference in the time of the appearance of the 

 sprouts above the ground. This is important, for if there is a hill a little 

 later than its neighbors, the potato beetle is sure to attack it in preference 

 to the more vigorous plants. 



The " Iron Age " five-tooth cultivator was used to tend the potatoes until 

 the vines became too large to allow it to pass between the rows, when the 

 double shovel cultivator was substituted, passing once in a row. We aim to 

 give level cultivation so far as possible. Some raise the objection that the 

 potatoes will sun-burn if not hilled up; but the balance of evidence is just 

 the reverse, and the potatoes will not suffer from drought as badly when the 

 ground is kept level. Plant deep and keep the ground level. 



The potato beetles were as numerous as ever ; but they are no longer a 

 terror to potato growers, however great a nuisance they may be. We used 

 "Hermes' Sprinkler" in applying Paris green, and were much pleased with 

 it. It is carried on the back, contains three or four pails of water, and 

 will sprinkle two rows at the same time. 



In Table 1 we give the yield of eighteen varieties grown in 1887, for the 

 sake of comparing with the results of the past year. The yield was very 

 much less in 1887, owing to the severe drought which prevailed during the 

 entire season. In the column showing the per cent of small potatoes, it will 

 be seen that there is quite a variation. Some of the varieties, such as Nos. 9, 

 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, were very uniform in size, and are among the standard 

 sorts which have been grown on the College farm for several years. No. 17 

 gives the smallest per cent of small potatoes, also an aggregate yield nearly 

 equal to that of the best. No. 9 has also proved itself a very good medium 

 early sort. It is earlier than No. 17. No. 15 is another medium early variety 

 which is among the most promising. Of the late varieties, Nos. 10 and 11 

 stand at the head. No. 12 has always given a good yield, but its quality is 

 not equal to some others. Nos. 21 and 23 are very much alike in manner of 

 growing and in shape of tuber. The quality of both was very poor, and they 

 were badly affected with scab. No. 23 ripened earlier than any other variety. 

 Nos. 13 and 27 resemble each other very much (are probably identical. 

 No. 25 is a very handsome potato ; but as only one small potato was 

 planted we are unable to judge of its merits. No. 28 is a variety sent out by 

 the Department of Agriculture with no name. Prom two potatoes we made 

 forty hills which produced two distinct varieties of large tubers, one white 

 and the other flesh color, the latter differing in shape from the former. It is 

 possible that the two potatoes received represented two distinct varieties, but 

 they did not indicate it. 



