ioSept., 1908.] Potato Experimental Fields, 1907-8. 



563 



were planted in a plot at Mr. Hearn's farm at Drouin. It is to be 

 regretted that owing to the very hot and dry summer the early ones were 

 attacked by the potato grub ; consequently only a few of each variety 

 were saved. Nearly all of these varieties had been through exhaustive 

 tests at the Central Experiment Farm, Ottawa, Canada, which embraced 

 590 varieties and extended in most cases over a period of fifteen years. 

 Of this large number most were discarded on account of inferior pro- 

 duction, inferior quality, and other reasons. Among those reported on 

 favourably were: — Bovee, Burbank, Carman No. 3, Early Norther, 

 Early Ohio, Noroton Beauty, Irish Daisy, Vermont Gold Coin, and 

 Green Mountain. All these varieties have, under the most adverse weather 

 conditions, given good results. Early Norther and Green Mountain, which 

 w^ere rejected for inferior production in the Canadian tests, have both 

 done well in the 1907-8 plots, especially Early Norther, which was planted 

 in Mr. Wedd's plot at Cheltenham. 



In the test of 590 varieties referred to, 388 were rejected on account 

 of inferior production, though some were fairly productive ; 39 for in- 

 ferior quality ; 7 for deep eyes ; 5 for inferior quality and deep eyes ; 

 4 for inferior production and deep eyes ; 3 for inferior quality, inferior 

 production and deep eyes ; one of the disqualifying features in 19 of 

 the varieties was deep eyes, showing how much importance is attached to 

 this feature of the tubers in other countries. 



Improvement of Varieties by Selection. 



Two of the most objectionable features of the New Zealand Pinkeye 

 are the very deep eyes, at the crown, and the round shape of the tubers. 

 The latter, with unfavourable weather conditions, renders them very liable 

 to crack and become hollow in the centre. That these faults can be over- 

 come to a large extent has been demonstrated by several growers. These 

 facts were first brought under notice by Mr. Wylie, of Turkeith, who had 

 been a grower at the Warrions in the Colac district; Mr. W. Walter, 

 of Coghill's Creek, in the Ballarat district; and Mr. Morrison, of 

 Springmount, near Creswick. All these growers claim to have had much 

 success in this dirrrtinn. 



•new ZEALAND PINKEYE. 

 Ordinary Type. Improved Type. 



There can be no doubt that if this variety can be improved by selection 

 it will go a long way towards establishing its popularity as one of the 

 most useful varieties for early crop. The photographs shown are the 

 second year's produce of seed supplied bv ]Mr. Walter. No attempt was 



