40 



Potato Growing in Essex. 



[Apr., 



to be reckoned, but the crop grown from new seed is generally 

 more sound and marketable than a crop grown from " once- 

 grown " seed. Some farmers, while admitting that larger total 

 crops are obtained from new seed, incline to the opinion that a 

 larger percentage of ware (large size tubers) is obtained from 



once-grown " seed, but experiments conducted by the East 

 Anglian Institute of Agriculture (see Eeport on Field Experi- 

 ments for 1914) do not confirm this. 



Considerable differences of opinion exist as to the best seed 

 size, but generally speaking it is found that seed dressed through 

 a 2-inch and over a l|-inch riddle, although taking a fair weight 

 per acre, give more satisfactory results than those obtained from 

 smaller seed, with the exception of the first-early variety, 

 Epicure, which seems to grow equally vigorously from very 

 small tubers. 



Varieties. — Local conditions largely influence the varieties 

 which should be planted, but, speaking generally, one may say 

 that for the production of potatoes for the very early market 

 Epicure is a prime favourite, followed by Eclipse, which, 

 although of better quality and shape, and a heavier cropper, is 

 a little later than Epicure. 



It is interesting to note that some growers have reported very 

 favourably on King George as a first early, and claim that, if 

 boxed and sprouted and planted at the same time as Epicure, it 

 gives a large crop of potatoes of good quality equally as early. 

 Usually, however, King George is grown as a second early, and 

 should be lifted, as a general rule, not later than the end of 

 August. 



Main crop varieties are always changing, but of late years 

 King Edward has been a great favourite at most markets in 

 England, though unfortunately this variety does not seem to 

 possess enough vigour to grow a really heavy crop, except under 

 favourable soil conditions and with a fairly heavy rainfall. Arran 

 Chief is a very good potato, giving a good yield on nearly all 

 soils, even in a dry season. Unfortunately neither of these 

 varieties is immune from wart disease, which has become so 

 prevalent during the last year or two, and growers are turning 

 their attention to several of the new immune varieties. These 

 are too numerous to mention in detail, but Great Scot and The 

 Ally have proved very vigorous potatoes, giving big yields of 

 good quality tubers. Kerr's Pink is also being grown to some 

 extent, and has given some very heavy yields. Majestic, 

 although a heavy cropper, is inclined to be coarse. 



