8 Mav. 1908.] 



Imported Varieties of Potatoes. 



^95 



IJOtato, being of a robust habit, producing a good even run' of tubers ; its 

 flesh is white and it is a good cooker. 



The variety which gave the most consistent return was Bismark, which 

 does well on a medium quality land and responds well to manure. It 

 promises to be a good sort for early planting in northern districts, and has 

 been found to mature in twelve to thirteen weeks. The flesh is very wBite, 

 flavor medium, rather close when cooked. Plants are of a robust Eabit 

 and throw very few small tubers. Another early variety of promise is one 

 grown under the name of Fox's Seedling. This potato, I believe, is 

 identical with the white Beauty of Hebron. It is a very free cropper, has 

 f:ne kidney shaped tubers, and is a splendid cooker, flesh white and mealy 

 and of good flavor. The tubers of this varietv intended for seed should 

 leceive special attention, as they are liable to miss when cut. They should 



SECOND AND THIRD GROWTHS OF TUBER. 

 1. Original tiibei- wilte'l. "i. Second growth. 3. Tliirfl irrowth exceeding in weight the original tuber. 



not be put away in bags or lx)xes or stored in a heap, but spread out in an 

 open place where they will be exposed to the light as much as possible so 

 tliat thev will become quite green. 



Preparation of Land. 



The reports show that great care was taken to obtain the best possible 

 results by the selection of the most suitable .soils and by careful prej)aration 

 of the land and attention to the growing crop ; also by the liberal use of 

 farmyard and artificial manures. 



In some instances the rainfall registered during the growing period has 

 been supplied ; this is verv useful information, as it sometimes points to the 

 cause of failure or damage to a crop of potatoes. 



Methods of Manuring. 

 Much attention was given to the methods of applying manures, as the 

 following extracts show : — 



Good deep sandy loam containing a good amount of decaved vege- 

 table matter. When planting I placed stable manure in the trenches with 

 the potatoes. Crop light." 



