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Trials of Potatoes, 1921. 



[May, 



Scheme for Trials with First Early Varieties. — The growing 

 of very early varieties for lifting " green " is becoming an im- 

 portant industry in many districts, and the Early trials were 

 accordingly designed with the object of proving whether any 

 of the first early immune varieties possessed sufficient merit 

 to be suitable for cultivation for this purpose. Only those 

 counties in which an early potato-growing industry exists were 

 asked to undertake the Early trials. 



The main object of the trials was to provide information re- 

 garding the comparative marketable value of the varieties lifted 

 in the green state, and it was not intended to demonstrate the 

 comparative earliness of the different varieties at maturity. 

 The varieties immune to Wart Disease chosen for experiment 

 were Ashleaf (Broadleaf), Dargill Early, Resistant Snowdrop 

 (or Witch Hill), and Arran Rose. These were compared with 

 the non-immune varieties Ninetyfold and Epicure. 



Supply of Seed. — In order to obtain results fairly comparable, 

 it was decided to obtain all the seed from the same source and 

 arrangements were accordingly made with a seed merchant in 

 Scotland for the supply of seed potatoes of the selected varieties. 



Sprouting Seed. — County Committees were asked to arrange 

 for 28 lb. of each variety to be specially boxed and sprouted 

 under approved methods and conditions, and for 28 lb. to be 

 bagged and placed in the dark, in a cool store or clamp until the 

 time of planting. 



Soil and Cultivation. — It was suggested that where possible 

 the soil selected should be a deeply-worked light to medium 

 loam, in good condition and with an aspect having a full exposure 

 to the sun. 



Manures. — It was suggested that the soil should receive a 

 dressing of farmyard manure in the drills at the rate of 15 tons 

 per acre (about 2 cwt. per rod). This was to be supplemented 

 on dates to be recorded by a dressing of artificial manures mixed 

 in the following proportions per acre, and if possible, applied 

 broadcast immediately before the seed was placed in the drills : — 

 2 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 3 cwt. superphosphate (30 per cent, 

 sol.), 1 cwt. steamed bone flour, and 1 cwt. sulphate of potash. 



The combined mixed dressing worked out at the rate of 5 lb. 

 per rod. 



Planting. — The potatoes were to be planted on the usual 

 dates ruling in each particular district in drills 24 in. apart, 

 and sets 12 in. apart. The area for each variety was four rods 

 (32 ft. by 34 ft.), which admitted of sixteen rows. 



