FIELD CROPS. 



943 



larly with the number of stalks produced. "The conclusion is that, 

 with a comparatively stable strain, auy condition which results in an 

 increase of stalks per hill will likewise result in a nearly proportionate 

 increase of tubers per hill." 



In summarizing' the observations of the 3 years the author makes the 

 following statements : 



"Because of the tendency of potatoes to vary under cultivation, and because such 

 variations tend to run into certain strains, some valuable and others comparatively 

 valueless, it is evident that tbe selection of proper tubers for planting is the iirst 

 essential to culture. This selection should lie done in the field at digging time, and 

 should be made from those hills which produce potatoes of the form and character 

 desired. 



" In planting equal weight pieces from small and large tubers of the same vine 

 there will not be a sufficent difference in favor of one or the other size of potatoes 

 to be noticed under farm methods, provided all art' normally mature." 



Further tests of northern and home grown seed potatoes, C. O. 

 Flacig and G. M. Tucker ( Rhode Island Sta. Rpt. 1896, pp. 344-353). — 

 A continuation of work reported in a former bulletin of the station (E. 

 S. II., 8, p. 217). This was the third year that seed tubers were obtained 

 from Maine to compare northern and home grown seed. In general, 

 the same varieties were brought from Maine each year and grown in 

 Rhode Island for 2 and 3 years in succession. Tabulated results show 

 the degree of maturity and the average yields, weights, and number of 

 tubers obtained. 



The averages for all the varieties of Maine seed grown at the station 

 1, 2, and 3 years are given in the following table: 



Yield from Maine potatoes grown in Rhode Island 1, :, and S years. 



1 In 1896 all tubers weighing 3 oz. or more and in 1895 those weighing 2 oz. or more were classed as 

 large tubers. 



In summarizing, the authors state that the total yield of the northern- 

 grown seed was 28.42 bu. per acre less the first year than for seed 

 grown at the station for 2 years, and 17.02 bu. less than from seed 

 grown at the station 3 years, but that the increase in the crop from the 

 home-grown seed consisted of tubers less than 3 oz. in weight. 



"The yield of tubers 3 oz. or more in weight was 1.29 bu. greater 

 than the home-grown second-year seed and 2.21 bu. per acre greater 

 than was obtained from the home-grown third-year seed." 



The more important cultivated plants of German colonies and their products, 

 K. Sadebeck (Die ivichtigeren Nutzpflanzen und deren Erzeugnuse aus den denlscheii 

 Kolonien. Hamburg: Lucas Grafe $• Sillem, 1898, pp. 138). 

 10733— No. 10 4 



