468 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—M. 
the former case—for a number of reasons associated with cropping power, 
colour, size of peas and pods, uniformity of ripening, etc., the varieties 
Lincoln, Thomas Laxton, Gregory’s Surprise, Canners’ Perfection, Charles 
the First and Alaska have been found to be suitable for canning. 
The changes in the carbohydrates during ripening have been recorded on 
all the varieties of peas mentioned, and in every case an abrupt alteration in 
the composition of each size of pea was noted at a date three or four days 
after that on which the peas would normally be canned. The causes of 
toughness in dried peas are being investigated, the effect of manurial 
treatment receiving special attention. In trials on soil types, varying from 
a light sandy loam to a heavy clay, the colour of beetroots and carrots have 
not been found to vary appreciably. Problems connected with other 
vegetables have mainly been concerned with varietal differences. 
DiIscussIoN on the two preceding papers (10.50). 
Mr. R. T. Proctor.— The utilisation of power in general farming (11.10). 
(1) A comparison of the pre-war and the current costs of producing 
cereals, potatoes and other crops by (a) pre-war methods and implements ; 
(6) similar current methods with improved implements and higher labour 
costs ; (c) the same cropping with the fullest possible use of power methods. 
(2) The uses of power methods in the cultivation of (a) sugar beet, and 
(b) vegetables which are now grown under regular rotation. 
(3) Machinery used on modern farms for fruit-growing and for crops 
for the rapidly developing canning industry. 
(4) Applications of power in connection with livestock ; the use of mills, 
mixers, etc., for preparing foodstuffs on the farm for cattle, pigs and poultry. 
(5) Power methods for new crops now produced on a commercial scale, 
and possible extensions. 
Mr. J.C. WaLLace.—Recent progress in potato cultivation in the Eastern 
Counties (11.40). 
Deeper cultivation has become general since the war, and subsoiling for 
potatoes is now common practice. Apart from ploughing and subsoiling, 
there has not been any great development in the use of the tractor. 
The introduction of sugar beet into the rotation has resulted chiefly in 
a reduction of clover acreage. Many farmers, however, still have one-sixth 
of their acreage under clover, the potato crop, therefore, alternatively 
following clover and a straw crop. Sugar beet tops are ploughed under as 
green manure, but beet is not regarded as the best preceding crop for the 
potato. 
Sprouting of seed potatoes was becoming common before the war. Much 
of it was done in barns, but now almost every farm and small holding has 
a properly constructed glasshouse for the purpose. The use of immature 
seed is becoming common. Planting tends to become much earlier, and is 
carried out more expeditiously. The date of lifting early varieties has 
advanced ever since 1920. 
The most striking progress has been made in the type of artificial com- 
pound used for both early and maincrop varieties. In 1920 phosphate was 
regarded as of great importance and the usual mixture contained well over 
9 per cent. of soluble phosphoric acid. ‘This has now been reduced to 
5°5 per cent. or just over, and the nitrogen and the potash, especially the 
latter, increased. Yields have considerably increased, although the average 
