10 Feb., 1916.] Potato Experimental Fields, 1915-16. 



115 



The manuring here has twelve variations on the limed and the unlimed 

 portions, making twenty-four variations in all, in which potatoes, man- 

 gels, and Swedish turnips are being grown. The varieties of potatoes 

 being tested are immature and ripe Sutton's Abundance, ex Leongatha, 

 Erownell's Beauty, Dates, Clark's Main Crop, Early Norther and 

 Scruffle, all of which are suitable to the soils of the district. The 

 manuring tests on the hill and flat lands are the same, and the plota 

 were planted on 29th Nove'mber, 1915. 



Analysis op Cashmore Heath " Hill Land." 

 Parts per 100,000. 



Remarks. 



The whole of these test plots have been designed with the object of 

 securing definite information as to the most profitable procedure in 

 potato cultivation, that is, the procedure which will most economically 

 produce the greatest production per acre. The manures in every case 

 were broadcasted by hand prior to planting. At Portland the potatoes 

 were ploughed into the ground, trut at Leongatha and Koo-wee-rup 

 planting was done by one of the greatest labour savers in all the collec- 

 tion of farm implements, namely, the potato planter, one of the 

 machines which has done much to lessen the troubles of the potato 

 grower in the matter of labour. 



The climatic conditions since planting time to date have not been 

 favorable to the potato crop. A late cold spring which retarded planting 

 was followed by a spell of dry weather which lia.s, since Lst December, 

 had no breaks of weather of sufficient consequence to materially assist 

 the crop ; but the season i.s young yet, and much may happen. 



The interest taken in the experiments carried out last year was grati- 

 fying, and it is hoped that this interest may be more than maintained 

 this year, as this season's results should be of considerably greater value 

 than those of tlie first year, inasmuch as it is expected that they will, in 

 the majority of cases, confirm the findings of last season. 



The plots are at all times open to inspection by fanners and others 

 interested througliout the growing period. 



At the Labour Colonv, Leongatha, the principal of these experi- 

 mental stations, the work incidental to these tests which this Dejiart- 

 ment is carrying out has been ably and willingly assisted by the man- 

 ager, Mr. J. J. Willoughby. At Koo-wee-nip, the Department lias 

 been granted the use of land on the farm of )\\y. John "Wadslcv, of 

 the Five Mile Drain, one or the pioneers of the district : while at Cash- 

 more, Portland, ]\Ir. G. A. Taylor, an enthusiastic grower, has been 

 good enough to devote portion of his land to this oxneriniontal work. 



