loXov'.. 1910.] P('iato ExpLrimental Fields, igog-10. 



POTATO EXPERIMENTAL FIELDS, 1909-10. 



G. Seviiiour, Potato Expert. 



The experimental work for the past year embraces a continuation of 

 the previous year's operations at Cheltenham. Fields were also estab- 

 lished at the following centres: — 



Broadford 



Colac 



Daylesford 



Mr. A. Zwar. 

 Messrs. Rankin Bros. 

 Mr. H. M. S. Cox. 



Dean 



Leongatha 



Romsev 



Farm of — ■ 



Mr. I. Bousted. 

 >Ir. Geo. WiUiams. 

 Messrs. Robb Bros. 



The fields at Broadford, Colac, and Leongitha were primarily variety 

 tests, whilst the plots at Daylesford, Dean, and Romsfc\ were designed 

 to test the relative value of artificial manure in the form of phosphoric acid, 

 potash and nitrogen, when applied .separately and in combination. Table 

 A sets out the quantities of the various dressings applied. The plot was 

 I acre in extent ; each .section was therefore one-seventh of an acre. 



Table A. — Manurial Dressings. 



=3 oi . 



•a .a s 



— M 3 



_^ P. . 2 



^ S'S'S 



OS o 



.3 02 a 



'1% 



iM a:- i-H o i-iGC 



%%%<%■% 



An effort was also made to discover what influence pasture has on soil 

 fertility and what assistance it renders, if any, to artificial manures on 

 volcanic soils. 



The seed was supplied by the farmers, and was grown the previous 

 year on the farms where the experiments were carried out. The soil in 

 each instance was alike — chocolate volcanic — and tvpical of the best potato 

 lands in the district. The plots w^ere selected with due regard to the 

 system of rotation followed in each case. 



The Daylesford field, which had been under pasture of English grass 

 and clover for eight years, was ploughed up in the earlv spring and tilled 

 for the potato crop. 



At Dean, the previous crop was wheat tollo\ving four years' pasture 

 under grass and clo\er. 



The field at Romsey had been under culti\ation for over 50 years 

 continuously, without pasture, and practically without the addition of 

 manure of any kind. The operations on this field may be divided into 

 three periods, the first extending from 1859 to 1869 during which the crops 

 were potatoes and cereals ; the second from 1870 to 1899 ; the third from 

 1900 to date. At the commencement of the second period the Dun field 

 pea was introduced ; it then became a rotation of potatoes, cereals, 

 and legumes. Since 1899 the pea crop has proved a comparative failure, 

 so much so that on many farms their culti\"ation has been abandoned. 

 Accompanying the discontinuance of peas in the rotation has been the 

 failure of the Brown's River and similar varieties of potatoes to yield a 

 profitable crop. 



•2 B 2 



