191 1.] Experiments in Potato Growing. 



899 



Sprouting in Pits. — While discussing this question of 

 sprouting, some experiments made on the effect of sprouting 

 in the pit may be referred to. 



It is generally believed that tubers which make long 

 growths in the pit are much injured for planting. During 

 the years 1905-6-7 the effects of this growth were demon- 

 strated. About the middle of April, when planting was 

 being proceeded with, the potatoes chosen for these trials 

 were selected from the pits. They had sprouted very badly, 

 and the sprouts were all rubbed off just previously to plant- 

 ing. At the same time, perfectly sound tubers with no 

 sprouts were taken from the same pits, and planted beside the 

 others under precisely similar conditions. To the surprise 

 of everyone who visited and inspected these crops, no differ- 

 ence could be detected during the growing seasons. 



The results being so contrary to expectation, the yields in 

 the different years are set out below. 



Factor {1905) sprouted in pits 



j j ( I 9°5) sound 

 Northern Star (1906) sprouted in pits . 



,, (1906) sound 



Acme (1907) sprouted in pits 



(1907) sound 

 Marvel (1907) sprouted in pits ... 

 (1907; sound 



The above figures are very striking evidence that much 

 injury does not result to ordinary main-crop potatoes re- 

 quired for seed by their growing in the pits. This conclu- 

 sion, however, does not apply to those kept for consumption, 

 as growth will very rapidly spoil the quality. It is perhaps 

 possible that the reason the sprouted tubers gave such 

 a good result is that the very fact of their sprouting 

 early shows that they were more than ordinarily vigorous, 

 whilst those with which they were compared may have failed 

 to sprout through some inherent weakness. 



Manuring of the Experimental Plots. — The manures used 

 in the variety and other tests changed but little from year to 

 year. The general practice was to apply farmyard manure 

 at the rate of 12 tons per acre and a mixture of artificials 

 supplying 30 lb. nitrogen, 75 lb. phosphoric acid, and 80 lb. 

 of potash, costing approximately 45s. per acre. Great care 



3 R 2 



Plot A. 



Plot B. 



• Average. 



Tons. Cwt. 



Tons. 



Cwt. 



Tons. Cwt. 



10 5 



IO 



13 



10 9 



10 4 



IO 



2 



10 3 



13 13 



II 



14 



12 13 



13 14 



IO 



17 



12 6 



13 0 



*3 



3 



13 1 



13 0 



12 



12 



12 16 



13 10 



12 



17 



13 3 



13 1 



12 



3 



12 12 



