120 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



On a special method of planting potatoes, C. Allier {Prog. Agr. 

 et Vit, 13 (1896), No. 5^ pp. 121-129).— T\n& is a eontiniiatiou iu 1895 of 

 work carried on iu 1892, 1893, and 1894. The following methods were 

 compared: (1) Potatoes, large and small, were cut into pieces weigh- 

 ing 15 to 40 gm., with oue or two eyes to the piece, aud the cuttings 

 planted 10 cm. (about 4 in.) apart in the row; (2) whole tubers of 

 medium size were plauted 50 cm. (about 20 in.) apart in the row; and 

 (3) small whole tu.bers weighing 20 to 40 gm. were planted at 10 cm. in 

 the row. In all cases the rows were GO cm. (about 2 ft.) apart. The 

 preparation of the soil, the manure, the depth of planting, and the 

 cultivation were the same as in the ordinary methods. 



The results of experiments at the station and of cooperative experi- 

 ments of a similar character in different parts of France are tabulated 

 and discussed. The author states that the largest yield was produced 

 by the small tubers planted closely, a gain of 45 per cent over the yield 

 of medium tubers at 50 cm. iu the row; aside from this the largest 

 yield with each of the 8 varieties tested was produced by the 1-eye 

 pieces. 



The cuttings gave a profit with all the varieties except one; the 

 largest profit came from the small tubers closely planted, the gain over 

 medium sized tubers being valued at G33 francs per hectare. 



The results of the cooperative trials were of the same import. 



In conclusion the author recommends a trial of the method of plant- 

 ing 1 and 2 eye pieces at 10 cm. distance, in comparison with the regular 

 methods. 



Concerning the influence of the starch content of the potato on 

 the amount and quality of the yield, H. IIitier {Jour. Agr. Prat., 

 60 {1896), J, No. 18, pp. 657, 658).— Iu his experiments in 1892 A. Girard 

 indicated clearly that the starch content of the seed tubers had no 

 influence on the yield. 



Beside cultural methods and meteorological conditions 3 factors take 

 part in the production of large yields of potatoes — the hereditary quali- 

 ties of the plant, its weight, and its content of substances capable of 

 nourishing the young plant. Girard plauted 53 lots of 2 tubers; 

 each two were taken from the same hill, were of nearly equal weight 

 but of different specific gravity, and were subjected to like conditions 

 of soil and culture. In 15 cases only the tubers richest in starch gave 

 the largest yields; in 20 cases the opi^osite result was obtained. In 

 1894, from 30 lots on trial, similar results were had. 



In 1894 the middle row of 3 under trial was dug when partly grown, 

 and all parts of the plants were weighed and analyzed; at the same 

 time from one of the remaining 2 rows the seed tubers were carefully 

 removed. When planted the seed tubers contained 13.83 per cent of 

 starch and 2.09 per cent of nitrogenous substances; when removed they 

 contained 4.56 and 0.99 x)er cent, respectively. The yield of the unmo- 

 lested row was 7.336 kilos; of the row from which the seed tubers had 



