556 



Bulle;tin 84 



In 1915, seven varieties of potatoes were planted and profitable 

 yields secured from most plots. A small plot of Vermont Gold 

 Coin yielded over 10,000 pounds per acre. 



Table XXVIII summarizes the variety test of potatoes on the 

 Snowflake Dry-farm. 



To determine the most profitable rate to plant potatoes an ex- 

 periment was carried out in 1915, in which eight plots of early 

 Ohio potatoes were planted at rates varying from 300 to 800 

 pounds of seed tubers per acre, with the resultant spacing of 

 hills from eight to thirty-six inches apart in the row. The desir- 

 ability of wide spacing is indicated by the yields (recorded in 

 Table XXIX) which are greatest where planting is thin. 



TALLE XXIX. 



potatoes; rate of seeding test, snowelake dry-farm, 



1915 



Cultivation of potatoes is important, and, with each successive 

 cultivation, soil should be gradually moved against the plant. Too 

 much hilling exposes additional surface to moisture dissipating 

 conditions, but slight ridging has a most beneficial effect upon the 

 quality of tubers produced. In the early stages of growth, soils 

 should be cultivated close to the rows, but, as the plants approach 

 full size, close cultivation may interfere with the formation of 

 tubers. 



Climatic and soil conditions at the higher elevations of Arizona 

 are oftentimes especially adapted to potato growing. The crop 

 should be standardized, and one or two varieties selected and con- 

 stantly improved. 



Market conditions are usually favorable. The population of 

 the mining camps and warmer portions of Arizona consumes more 

 potatoes than are produced in the State at present. Because of 

 high freight charges when potatoes are shipped in from other 



