1032 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



cheiiiic-iil Avas found profitable in pnu-tico. The same faet was borne 

 out in the ca.se of lime, chemical analyses indicating- where it could be 

 profital)ly used. Basic slaj^- was found to ))e a valuable fertilizer for 

 pastures, and its influence continued throuuh several seasons. Super- 

 phosphate proved to be valuable, but the influence was not as lasting- 

 as in the case of slag. Stable manure produced one heav}' crop 

 which was, as a ride, rejected bv stock on account of the presence of 

 the manure. The returns from its use rapidly diminished in the 

 following season. 



Memoir on the commercial culture of potatoes, M. 1'. Lavallee 

 {Bid. Soc. A(jr. Fntin-i'. it. Xi'i'., 31 {19UU), Ajjr. l'>, pp. Jfil-JfdS; May 

 l^])p>. 535-o5Ii). — Besides discussing the advantages of potato culture 

 the author presents the results of experiments with potatoes along the 

 following lines: Tests of sprouted v. unsprouted potatoes for seed as 

 regards both 3'ield and starch content of the potatoes harvested, dis- 

 tance experiments, planting diflerent sized tubers for seed, experiments 

 to determine the efi'ect on the starch content of the crop of planting- 

 tubers containing diflerent percentages of starch, cxpei'iments in 

 changing the physical characters of potatoes as regards the color of 

 skin and color and quality of the flesh, selection of diflerent parts of 

 the tuber for seed, and spraying to control blight, etc. Notes on 

 potato culture and on the cost of growing potatoes are also included. 

 The experiments extended over a period of years, and in some 

 instances are given in considerable detail. 



The results obtained in the experiments show the advantages of 

 using- sprouted potatoes for seed to be an increased total yield, increased 

 earliness, larger starch content, and a more vigorous growth of vines. 

 Planting tubers in rows 2 ft. apart and 1 ft. distant in the row gave 

 better results than greater distances. It increased the yield and has- 

 tened the maturity of the crop. The tubers were better formed and 

 richer in starch. Average sized A\hole tubers used for seed gave bet- 

 ter returns than larg-e or small sized whole tubers. Small seed, while 

 possessing great vigor of reproduction, tends to the production of 

 small tu))ers. Large tubers ma}' be profltably cut for seed. Pieces 

 weighing on an average 45 gm. and carrj'ing 2 eyes were better for 

 seed than whole tubers of the same weight. The advisaT)ility of cut- 

 ting seed tubers largely hinges on the varietv to be planted. ^Vith 

 Peach P)low, Magnum, Bruce, and Maercker, the best results were 

 obtained Avhen the tubers were cut; while with Blue Giant, Red Skin, 

 Hebe, and Pluto, results were generally better with the whole tubers. 

 No decided results were obtained in planting tul)ers of diflerent starch 

 content. In connection with this work the author noticed that tubers 

 having the highest percentages of starch were usually of a dark color 

 and not smooth. Bordeaux mixture ])i-<)longed the growing period of 

 potatoes and increased the yield. 



