585 



The results show that the total yiehl gradually decreases as the amount of seed i<j 

 les-eued. The quantitj- of small tubers decreases even faster, however, so that the 

 yield from the halves and quarters is larger than from the whole tubers or single eyes. 

 The quantity of seed used in whole tubers is sixteen times as great as with single 

 eyes, and after deduering the seed used the net results are in favor of eighths (8 

 bushels of seed), and quarters (IG bushels per acre). If the season had not been so 

 dry the halves and whole tubers would have developed a larger percent of their small 

 tubers, and the results would have appeared much more favorabh; to them. * * » 



Last year the potatoes used for seed averaged somewhat smaller than those for this 

 yoai's trial, and the halves at the rate of 20 bushels per acre made the best showing. 

 Under favorable conditions we think that this amountof seed will be most profitable 

 for the ordinary grower. 



In the other experiment not only the amount of seed was considered, 

 but also the followinj;- questions : " (1) Is the half of a whole potato bet- 

 ter than a small potato, the weight of the half being equal to that of 

 the whole tuber! (2) Can tubers just below the merchantable size be 

 profitably used for seed purposes?" 



In 1890, as in the previous year, the largest market yield was 

 obtained with from 13 to 27 bushels of seed per acre, the largest net 

 yield being from 13.7 bushels. 



It also appears that halves are better than whole tnbers of the same weight, and a 

 natural conclusion from this is that a whole small potato is not as good as the half of 

 a potato twice as large. As a matter of economy it is a question whether it is best 

 to feed these potatoes of about the size of a hen's egg to stock, and plant only large 

 merchantable tubers, or to plant the small potatoes. 



In case one must purchase seed potatoes at a high price, it might yield as large net 

 returns to plant small ones, if they are of good varieties, but in this case the practice 

 should not be kept np year after year. 



Depth of plimting. — The tabulated results of planting 3 varieties of 

 potatoes at depths of from 1 to 5 inches seem to favor shallow covering, 

 the best yields being from depths of 1 and 2 inches. 



IJffccts of fertilizers. — In fertilizer experiments on potatoes reported 

 in a table, ground bone, muriate or sulphate of potash, and sulphate 

 of ammonia or nitrate of soda, in different combinations, stable manure, 

 and wood ashes were compared with no manure on IG j)lats. The crop 

 was a very uneven one, but the indications were that commercial fer- 

 tilizers would not g'ive a sufficient increase of yield to warrant their 

 use where stable manure can be obtained for the hauling. Wood ashes, 

 if easily obtained, would be profitably used on potatoes and other 

 crops. 



Radishes (pp. 29-31). — Tabulated notes on 38 varieties. The follow- 

 ing are recommended : for forcing — Cardinal Globe, French Break- 

 fast, Forcing Nonpareil, AYhite Turnip, Eldorado; for summer use — 

 "Wood Frame, Scarlet Short-Top, Chartier, Celestial, Strasburg. 



Squashes {pi). 31, 32). — Tabulated and descriptive notes on 10 varie- 

 ties. 



Tomatoes (pp. 32-41). — Tabulated data for 78 varieties and descrip- 

 tive notes on 34 varieties. All but 9 of the varieties recorded have 



