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



571 



Rainfall. 



The rainfall has a material influence on the yield and quality of a crop 

 of potatoes. The plant .requires a liberal supply of moisture for its 

 growth, and a constant though not excessive supply during the tubering 

 period. A heavy fall of rain is injurious ; one inch spread over a week 

 is more beneficial than twice the quantity in 48 hours. The alternate 

 periods of rain and dry weather did much injury to the crop last season. 



The following table gives the monthly rainfall at a number of the plots 

 from September to April. Neerim heads the list with 25.80 inches, 

 Trafalgar being second with 21.15 inches. Kilmore is lowest with 11.47 

 inches, whilst at Romsey the fall was 12.12. If the heavy fall in Decem- 

 ber, which was most injurious to the crop at that stage, be deducted from 

 the total fall at Kilmore and Romsey it will leave onlv a fraction over 

 7 inches for the growing period, a quantity far below the requirement of 

 the crop. 



Rainfall, Season 1907-8. 



Name of District. 



Colac 

 Kilmore ... 

 Neerim . . . 

 Romsey . . 

 Trafalgar 

 Trenthain 



14-76 

 1147 

 25 • 79 

 12- 12 

 21 15 

 11-65 



The Effects of Manures on Potato Crops. 



F. E. Lee, Agriculttiral Superintendent. 



My contribution to this jeport is limited to the effects of various 

 manurial combinations on the production of tubers, and their influence 

 upon the proportions suitable for table or seed and those which are useless 

 for any other purpose than stock feeding. 



From the results of the experiments under review, there appears reason 

 to beiieve that the character of the manures applied influences the size of 

 individual tubers in a considerable degree. Leaving on one side the in- 

 herent characteristics of varieties, which it will be seen in some cases 

 invariably produce a higher ratio of marketable to unmarketable seed, it 

 is of practical worth to the potato grower to know that this ratio is con- 

 trollable tO' some degree by means of the manures used. 



The experimental crops have been carried out upon a variety of soils, 

 which has influenced the kinds and amounts of manures used according 

 to the locality. 



Cheltenham (Mr. Joseph Wedd's). 



From these results, the best yield will be seen to have been produced 

 by 3 cwt. each of bonedust and superphosphate. The proportion of un- 

 marketable seed is also relatively smaller than with any other manure 

 dressing. It is most singular that the addition of potash in section D to 

 the light dressing of superphosphate and bonedust has caused a falling 

 off in yield. Upon the light sandv soil at Cheltenham, potash might 



