73 2 Irish Seed Potatoes. [march, 



The average results from thirty-two centres in England and 

 five centres in Wales were as follows :■ — 





British Queen. 



Up-to-Date. 



Irish. 



Scottish. 



English. 



Irish. 



Scottish. 



English. 





T. C. Q. 



T. C. Q. 



T. C. Q. 



T. C. Q. 



T. C. Q. 



T. C. Q. 



England 



9 10 i 



9 5 0 



8 8 1 



II O I 



11 5 3 



6 8 1 



Wales ... 



8 12 I 



8 17 2 



7162 



II 42 



9 19 3 



6 13 3 



These average results show that with the variety British 

 Queen, planted in England, Irish seed has given a slightly 

 higher yield than Scottish seed ; in the Welsh tests, however, 

 the Scottish seed shows a slight advantage. With the variety 

 Up-to-Date the reverse is the case, the Scottish seed giving 

 slightly higher yields in England, whereas the Irish seed has 

 produced heavier crops in Wales. With the exception of the 

 comparison of Irish and Scottish Up-to-Date seed grown in 

 Wales, the average yield from Scottish and Irish seed did not 

 vary by more than 5 cwts. per acre. This is considered to 

 confirm the opinion held by the Department and many other 

 growers to the effect that Irish seed, if not superior, is at least 

 equal to Scottish seed for planting in England and Wales. 

 As regards the comparison with English seed, it is clearly evident 

 that Irish seed will produce much heavier crops, even when 

 the English seed is changed from one district to another, as 

 was necessarily the case in these experiments. 



The Department of Agriculture, in reporting* on these trials, 

 observes that these results must, on the whole, be regarded 

 as satisfactory both to farmers in England and in Ireland. 

 The English farmer finds it necessary to obtain a change of 

 seed potatoes at least every second or third year, and these 

 experiments, along with numerous other trials, have proved 

 that he can now look to Ireland as well as to Scotland for seed 

 well suited to his purpose. The Irish farmer has now an 

 opportunity of re-establishing a business which at one time was 

 extensive and profitable. 



* Journal of the Irish Department of Agriculture, January, 1908. 



