"9 Sept.. 1907.] Potato Experimental Fields. 553 



grown on a different soil and in this way he would improve the constitu- 

 tion of the plant and the tubers produced by it. Instances could be given 

 where growers have kept their produce up to a very high standard for 

 upwards of 25 years without changing their seed, but this can only be 

 done by careful selection. 



Green or Immature Seed. 



For some years past the most progressive potato growers in Great 

 Britain have advocated the use of immature seed. This is obtained by 

 lifting the tubers while the plant is still green. In saving seed in this 

 manner it is advisable to let the tubers lie on the ground till they become 

 green ; if the weather is hot cover them with the haulm to protect them 

 from the sun, but if the potato moth has made its appearance they should 

 l>e gathered at once. During last season this experiment with " green v. 

 ripe" seed was carried out on two plots, and was distinctly in favour of 

 the green seed. The parcel of green seed used in the experiment was 

 kindlv provided by Messrs. Birtchnell Bros., of Swanston-street, Melbourne, 

 -and formed portion of a show of tubers exhibited in their window in 

 December, 1905, and removed to the Government Cool Stores in January, 

 1906, where it remained till the following November. When the seed 

 was taken out it began to throw out buds in a few days, the shoots being 

 : strong and healthy. 



The variety used w-as Beauty of Hebron, grown by Mr. Lynch at 

 Carrum. One test was caried out at Mr. P. J. Duif's farm, Carrum, wifh 

 the following results: — - 



Tons cwts. qi'S. 



Green or immature seed . . ..583 per acre. 



Eipe seed . . . . . • .. 4 3 per acre. 



Yield in favour of green seed . . . . 1 8 



It must be stated that the produce of the green seed was a much 

 better sample with less small and undersized tubers. The second test was 

 carried out at Mr. Gray's farm, Emerald, but for some cause, not apparent 

 at the time of planting, 23 &ets out of 156 missed while 7 of the 

 xipe seed also missed. The return per plant was again in favour of 

 im.mature seed. The green seed gave a return of 3 tons 6 cwt. 3 qrs. 

 while the ripe seed yielded 2 tons 8 cwt. per acre, or a gain of 18 cwt. 3 qrs. 

 These experiments are to be continued in next season's plot. The above 

 results were also confirmed by a small experiment carried out by Mr. 

 J. McLennan, Head Teacher of the Emerald State School, where the 

 immature seed gave double the yield of the ripe and more than twdce as 

 manv large tubers. Altogether' the experiments may be considered to 

 point to the fact that immature seed will give the most satisfactory returns. 



The Varieties. 

 The heaviest individual yield of any section of the plots was obtained 

 on .section (h) of Mr. R.'l. Argyle, M.L.A.'s, plot at Kyneton which gave 

 a return of 16 tons 8 cwt. per acre with an average of 13 tons 10 cwt. 

 over all sections. This variety was planted under the name of Blue Prolific 

 and is identical with Coronation and Kinglaker;' it was also planted at 

 Emerald and Kinglake. At the lat^ter place it was planted ^ for com- 

 parison with Kinglaker and at both places it gave rather a light yield, 

 but when compared with Brown's River in these tests it appears a very 

 suitable variety for both districts. At Kinglake it gave a return of 2 tons 

 .2 cwt. per acre; Brown's River gave the same weight but produced a 



