464 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. 



10 Aug., 1916. 



The followiug weight® were recorded, which show variations insuffi- 

 cient for remark : — 



tons cvvt. lbs. 

 Dipped at Planting, and Sprayed . . . . . . 5 13 8 



Dipped at Digging, and Sprayed 

 Dipped at Planting, not Sprayed 

 Dipped at Digging, not Sprayed. 

 Sprayed only . . 

 Untreated 



r> 2 96 



5 6 8 



5 7 4 



5 11 8 



4 17 96 



Section 3. — Depth of Planting Test. 



In this test the shallower planted sets, viz., 3 inches and 3| inches, 

 came away most quickly at the beginning of the season, but were more 

 severely affected by the long spell of dry weather, and consequently 

 finished with a lighter crop than those planted at depths of 4 inches 

 and over. 



The figures resulting from the various depths indicate that 4 inches 

 to 5 inches were the most suitable for this season. This test will be 

 repeated. 



Depth of Planting Test. 



3 inches deep . . 

 3i inches deep 



4 inches deep . . 

 4^ inches deep 



5 inches deep . . 



6 inches deep . . 



Section 4. ^Spacing Test. 



Four spacings were used in this section, viz., 12 inches. 15 inches, 

 18 inches, and 21 inches, and the results bear out the expectation that 

 the closer plantings would produce the heavier yields. Besides yielding 

 the heavier tonnage, the tubers from the closer spacings were of a more 

 even size than those grown at 18 inches to 21 inches a,part. In many 

 parts of the State growers are inclined to be too sparing in the use of 

 seed, some making a practise of using as little as 7 cwt. to seed an 

 acre of ground. This is undoubtedly a mistake. When sets are placed, 

 say, 20 inches apart in the rows, the tendency is for the tubers pro- 

 duced to be too large and coarse. Thicker seeding produces heavier 

 tonnages of better quality potatoes. This is borne out by tne fact that 

 the competitors who score highest in the field crop competitions are 

 those who use fair-sized seed sets and plant them closely. 



The following weights were obtained from the various spacings : — 



12 inches apart, x rows 2 ft. 

 15 inches apart, x rows 2 ft. 

 18 inches apart, x rows 2 ft. 

 21 inches apart, x 2 ft. 3 in. 



Spacing Test. 



3 in. 

 3 in. 

 3 in. 



tons cwt. lbs. 

 6 1 8 

 5 9 32 

 4 18 64 

 4 16 88 



Section 5. — Immature r. Ripe Seed. 



The seed used in this section was saved from the previous season's 

 crop at Leongatha. Seven varieties were subjected to the trial. In the 

 case of each variety the seed was secured at two stages of the growth of 



