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Potato Demonstration Plots, 1920. [july, 



were set out in detail the varieties of potatoes to be planted 

 and the quantity of seed " of each variety, the method of 

 preparation of the land, the manures to be used and particulars 

 as to planting. 



For section one trials, the following varieties were recom- 

 mended : — 



1st Earlies. — Snowdrop and Dargill Early. 

 2nd Earlies. — Great Scot and Arran Comrade. 

 Main Crops. — Majestic, Kerr's Pink, Golden Wonder, 

 Tinwald Perfection and Abundance. 

 For section two, the varieties selected were : — 



Duke of York, Ninetyfold and Epicure (for lands only 

 to which the provisions of the Wart Disease of Potatoes 

 Order of 1919 do not apply), Dargill Early, Arran 

 Rose, King George, Nithsdale, Arran Comrade and 

 Snowdrop. 



It is important that all the " seed " planted in such trial 

 plots should be obtained from the same source, as comparison 

 of results, both local and general, would be of little value if the 

 " seed " used had been raised in widely different parts of the 

 country. The Ministry, therefore, arranged for the supply 

 of the necessary " seed " potatoes of the varieties mentioned. 

 It was at first contemplated that the Ministry should purchase 

 the " seed " in bulk and consign it to the various counties 

 as ordered, but in view of the lateness of the season and the 

 practical difficulties involved, it was decided that the " seed " 

 should be purchased direct by Committees from certain specified 

 dealers, with whom the Ministry made arrangements for supply- 

 ing reliable stocks of the varieties recommended. 



It was found difficult to obtain complete supplies, and, con- 

 sequently, Dobbies Favourite was substituted for Abundance, 

 a variety which it resembles closely. The supply of Epicure 

 was early exhausted. 



As a general rule the Horticultural Sub-Committees have 

 entered whole-heartedly into the Ministr^/'s Scheme, and 

 are following carefully the suggestions put forward for the 

 success of the trials, both from a local and national point 

 of view. In some counties, however, no potato trials are 

 being carried out under the Ministry's Scheme, while in others 

 it has not been closely followed. The Ministry's Inspectors 

 are in touch with Horticultural Sub-Committees, County 

 Horticultural Superintendents and Agricultural Organisers, 

 and advice and assistance have been given where necessary. 



