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XVI. — Results of Experiments on the Potato Crop ivith reference 

 to the most profitable size of the sets ; the influence of thick and 

 thin pilanting ^ ^c, carried out in the years 1864 and 1865 at 

 Benthall, near Broseley. By George Maw, F.S.A., G.S., 

 L.S., Member of the Royal Agricultural College. 



Prize Essay. 



The striking evidence obtained from a few experiments made 

 during the year 1864 with the object of ascertaining the sized 

 potato-set most profitable to plant, induced me during the past 

 year to carry out a more extensive series on a systematic 

 scheme ; a brief report upon which I beg to lay before the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of England. 



The 129 trial plots, described in the accompanying tabular 

 statement of general results (at pp. 564-569), were arranged with 

 special reference to the following questions, which I propose to 

 c(msider under separate heads. 



Firstly. As to the influence of the size of the set on the 

 economic results of the crop ; i. e., whether any increase, and to 

 what extent, is obtained over and above the extra weight of the 

 set, in the planting of large in lieu of small sets. 



Secondly. As to the influence on the crop of the distance at 

 which the sets are planted ; or the results of close and wide 

 planting of various sized potatoes. 



Thirdly. As to the comparative results from planting similar 

 weights of large and of small potatoes per acre. 



Fourthly. As to the relative advantages of cut and whole sets. 



Fifthly. As to the influence of thick and thin planting, and of 

 the size of the set, on the proportion borne between the weights 

 of the sets and the weight of the crop, and the rate of increase 

 under various conditions. 



Sixthly. As to the relative productiveness of different varieties 

 of potato. 



Much diversity of opinion seems to prevail on these points, 

 which are of economical importance in relation to both the Farm 

 and Garden cultivation of the crop. 



The selection of the potato-sets appears commonly to be more a 

 matter of present expediency than prospective profit. The general 

 course is to appropriate the largest for use, the very smallest for 

 pig-feeding, the tubers of intermediate size being preserved for 

 replanting ; this method of assortment results in the use of sets 

 of from two to three ounces in weight, and a set of less than two 

 ounces is as often planted as one exceeding three or four 

 ounces. 



