THIRD POTATO REPORT 



BY FRANK WM. RANE 



The potato is an important crop in New Hampshire and in 

 the interest of potato-growers this bulletin is issued. For the 

 past three years a long list of varieties has been grown here at 

 the college, the first two years having been reported upon in 

 Bulletin 41, '^ Potatoes," and Bulletin 48, "Ninth Annual 

 Report." The present report, therefore, covers the results with 

 those varieties used in the two previous seasons together with 

 the new introductions, and as well the results of various 

 potato growers throughout the state, who have cooperated with 

 the Experiment Station. 



It will be remembered that when Bulletin 41 was published, 

 we made the following offer : 



"• After we have selected a sufficient quantity for seed pur- 

 poses, we shall be pleased to send, at the expense of the 

 receiver, a limited quantity (a few potatoes) for test purposes, 

 provided the person receiving them has had experience in potato 

 growing, and will report his results as soon as the crop is har- 

 vested." 



In response a very long list of applications was received 

 from all sections of the state. They were complied with as far 

 as the seed went and we were able to send in this way to over 

 two hundred persons. The season of '97 proved to be wet 

 and unfavorable and as a result comparatively few growers 

 reported. Last spring we desired to repeat the work, and in 

 order to ensure a reply, only those who had taken sufficient 

 interest to respond the previous year, were included in the list. 

 While the season was not an ideal one for potato-growing, it 

 was not nearly so discouraging as that of the previous year. 

 The rot was especially troublesome. In most sections a fair 

 yield was secured, but in Coos county, a grand potato section, 

 the crop was far below the usual yield. 



