II Sept.. 19 u.] Potato Exptri mental Fields, 1 910-11. 635 



an axerage for these two sections of 4 tons 10 cut. per acre. This may 

 be regarded as x'ery satisfactory, and shows the necessity of supplying 

 nitrogen and potash to these soils. It may be interesting to point out that 

 the return for the use of potash is one of the most satisfactory ever ob- 

 tained in the experimental plots carried out by this Department. 



\aricties. — It is satisfactory \n be able to state that this plot was abso- 

 lutely free from Irish Blight. The seed was grown on the Departmental 

 experimental plots at Colac and Leongatha and at the Heytesbury Experi- 

 mental Farm on the grass-tree plains. 



The plot consisted of six varieties. Two of these proved a complete 

 failure. \iz.. Fox's Seedling and AMiite Prolific, both white-skinned varie- 

 ties ; n(j returns were obtained from these. Two other varieties, Tasmanian 

 Red and Black Prince proved unsuitable for the district. Both have the 

 habit of producing a large number of tubers ; consequently they require 

 a rich soil and favourable weather conditions to develop their crop. Snow- 

 flake and New Zealand Pinkeye each ga\e the very satisfactory average 

 return of 3 tons 16 cwt. i qr. per acre. From these returns, it would 

 appear that these varieties are suitable for planting in this district. The 

 New Zealaml Pinkeve, for early crop, should be planted as soon as danger 

 of injury from frost is past, and the Snowflake for late planting, as an 

 autumn crop. 



Davlesford. Dean, and Romsey Plots. 



These plots were devoted to testing artificial manures on chocolate vol- 

 canic soil, and were a continuation of the operations carried out at these 

 centres during r909-io, the ])r<\ious rotation of crops on each field being 

 practically the same. 



The plot at Daylestord, which had been under grass and clover for 

 ♦•ight years, was ploughed early and fallowed, and was in an ideal con- 

 dition when planted. At Dean, the field had been four years under grass 

 and clo\er. and from which a crop of wheat for hay. and a crop of oats 

 had been taken. The Romsey plot had been under cultivation for upwards 

 of fifty years, without pasture. 



The seed was from the farmer's own stock, grown on the farm the 

 ])re\ious year. The preijaration of the land and treatment of the crop 

 were identical with last season's te.sts. 



The average yields from these plots are as follows: — 



It should 1k^ stated that the crop on the plot at Romsey was affected 

 with the Blight just in the tubering period, otherwise the crop would have 

 shown a liigher avi-rag<.> yield ; but, allowing that the crop was diminished 

 by one third, it would still ha\t' been much below the a\-erage of the <ither 

 rw<) fields on which a prop«r system of rotation embracing pasture had 

 been followed. 



Manures. I-'roin tlie irregular manner in which the di.sease attacks the 

 crop it is impossible U) form any flefmite coik lusions as to the effect of the 



