APPENDIX. 155 



In every instance duplicate lots produced contradictory results. 

 The first lot of Early Rose gave a greater yield from the trench — 

 the difference being nearly ten bushels of marketable tubers per 

 acre. The second lot reverses these figures, so far as the market- 

 able tubers are concerned, but the increased number of small 

 potatoes makes the total yield practically the same with the two 

 methods of treatment. 



The first of Crane's June gave a difference of thirty-three 

 bushels of marketable tubers per acre, in favor of the furrow ; 

 while in the second lot the trench produced at the rate of twelve 

 bushels per acre more than the other. 



In each instance above mentioned the number of marketable 

 tubers per hill was slightly smaller in the trenches and the weight 

 of individual tubers was somewhat greater. On the other hand, 

 with one exception, the small tubers from the trenches exceeded 

 in weight and number those from the furrow. 



Hebron, from the trench was superior to the same variety from 

 the furrow. The number of tubers per hill was the same but the 

 individual tubers from the trench were so much superior as to 

 be equivalent to an excess of twenty-nine bushels per acre over the 

 other. 



It will be seen that these facts are, in a measure, opposed to con- 

 clusions concerning the system which have heretofore been pub- 

 lished. We would not. however, condemn the method without 

 further trial ; though it is but just to say that certain parties quoted 

 as obtaining specially marked results from the trench system have 

 discarded this method in general practice. 



Conclusion : — It is questionable whether the results obtained will 



justify the extra labor involved in practicing the trench system of 



potato culture. In our trials the past season duplicate lots in every 



instance produced contradictory results. 



^Y. M. MUNSON. 

 Maine State College. 

 Orono, Me., May 1, IbQ-i. 



