1887.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



85 



Delermination of Solids in Potatoes. 

 .July 24. 



The exceptionally large proportion of small potatoes obtained 

 in particular from Plats Nos. 2 and 3, as well as the low per- 

 centage of solids in the potatoes tested, prove the premature 

 termination of a healthful condition of the entire crop. The 

 normal growth of the tubers came apparently to a standstill 

 soon after the first examination for solids had been made 

 (July 24, etc.). The results seemed to indicate a connection 

 between "blight" and "scab"; and left scarcely any doubt 

 about the circumstance, that either the one or the other, or both 

 jointly, had contributed directly or indirectly towards the partial 

 failure of the crop for the two succeeding seasons. 



It was decided, in sight of these facts, to continue the experi- 

 ments in 1886 upon the same field, with some modifications, to 

 ascertain, if possible, whether the main influence regarding 

 the results in our past observation had to be ascribed to atmos- 

 pheric agencies, or to the condition of the soil and to the fer- 

 tilizer applied or to the quality of the seed potato used. 



