22 Experiment Station Bulletin 363 



yield and set of tubers. However, there is an indication that calcium is 

 slightly more involved in the set of tubers and sulphur slightly more in- 

 volved in the yield. 



Differences in quality of the potatoes were not striking and since 

 the test involved only a relatively small number of tubers and a variable 

 number of tubers for the various treatments it would be hazardous to 

 rely upon any apparent differences. In general, the quality ranged from 

 fair to good. 



The results above indicate a danger inherent in the trend toward use 

 of high analysis fertilizers which may be low in sulphur because of the 

 absence of gypsum and the replacement of (NH4)2S04 by NH4NO0 

 and nitrogen solutions. Further greenhouse trials are contemplated and 

 field trials are under way to shed further light on the problem. 



Tests of 15 varieties of potatoes were conducted in two locations, 

 one in Colebrook and one in Aiadbury. In the dry season the Russet va- 

 riety, one not commonly grown in New Hampshire, had the highest 

 yield in both tests. Pawnee, a new variety, showed up well. This va- 

 riety had not shown much promise during the two previous seasons. 

 Katahdin also showed up well. 



Of the very new varieties Mohawk had a fairly good yield and dis- 

 tinctly better quality than other newer strains. Potomac also yielded 

 well but appeared to be susceptible to blight. A test of 17 varieties is 

 under way this season in Madbury. A few unpromising ones have been 

 dropped but several new ones have been added. 



P. T. Blood, F. S. Prince, L. T. Kardos 



Proper Construction of Farm and Commercial Potato Storages 



During the past storage season, this study was directed toward get- 

 ting information on the influence of various gaseous conditions (chieflv 

 CO2) upon the sprouting and quality of potatoes when held at normal 

 late season storage temperatures, 45° - 55 "F. The test was started April 

 11, 1945, upon potatoes that had been held since harvest under good 

 storage conditions, but at a time when they were just beginning to break 

 dormancy. 



Approximately 100 pounds of Green iMountain potatoes IVi" - 1%" 

 in size \\ere placed in each of four air-tight wooden barrels. The tubers 

 selected were free from injuries and rot. Each barrel was fitted with an 

 observation window, a thermocouple for ascertaining internal tempera- 

 tures, and apertures for injecting or sampling gases. 



Photographs and observations show that potatoes remained dormant 

 for 39 days in the containers in which a 10 per cent content of COo ^^'as 

 maintained. The temperature range during this period was from 49°F - 

 52 °F. After 69 days, there was some sprouting of tubers in the contain- 

 ers ^^'ith a high CO2 content but sprouting was much greater in the 

 aerated containers. 



If this method could be applied commercialh^ to hold potatoes dor- 

 mant, "old" potatoes could compete more favorably on the late spring 

 market with new potatoes from the south. Labor of sprouting and con- 



