1906.] 



Potato Growing. 



15 



many samples. The variations are largely due to the maturity 

 or the ripeness of individual seeds, yellowish-green indicating 

 immaturity, and brown or reddish-brown advancing age or 

 weather influence about or during harvest time. 



Unless we look upon the presence of a high percentage of 

 weeds and other rubbish as adulteration, Alsike cannot be said 

 to be often adulterated. But Alsike sometimes contains a con- 

 siderable proportion of the seed of timothy, white clover, suck- 

 ling clover, and trefoil. 



The purity and germination of good samples should be 

 similar to that of white clover. 



While of recent years farmers have become much more alive 

 to the necessity of buying their seeds with care, the fact remains 

 that there are many tons of absolute rubbish sold annually 

 in country districts under the misleading name of seeds. 



D. FiNLAYSON. 



POTATO GROWING. 



The following account of potato growing is based mainly on 

 the results of experiments conducted throughout Yorkshire 

 under the auspices of the University of Leeds and the Yorkshire 

 Council for Agricultural Education. 



Potatoes are grown successfully on many kinds of soils, 

 but a sand of good "body" or a medium loam is best 

 adapted for the crop. With regard to its place in the rotation 

 there is no fixed rule ; in most cases, however, potatoes follow 

 corn. Occasionally they are grown after " seeds," which, as a 

 preparatory crop, has many points in its favour. The decaying 

 vegetable matter furnished by the sod is valuable not only as a 

 source of food for the plant, but also on account of its 

 beneficial influence on the physical condition of the soil. , 



The habits of the plant demand a good tilth. The land, 

 therefore, should be ploughed deeply in autumn and cross- 

 ploughed, if possible, in early spring. 



Seed. — On the character of the seed tubers largely depends 

 the success or failure of the crop. In many parts of the 

 country it is the practice to plant small tubers, the bigger ones 

 being sold for cooking purposes. There is considerable diversity 



