Experiments with Bees. 



79 



Potato Planting Experiments. 

 For six years past experiments have been conducted in 

 Canada to determine the best distance at which to plant 

 potatoes. The rows were in all cases z\ feet apart, and the 

 best results were yielded on the average by planting the sets 1 4 

 inches apart, although the results from planting 1 2 inches apart 

 were nearly the same. Further trials in planting sets with at 

 least three eyes each at different depths in rows 2 \ feet apart, 

 and 12 inches apart in the rows, showed that the best results 

 were obtained from planting the sets only 1 inch deep. 

 Level cultivation was adopted, and thus very little soil was 

 thrown on the potatoes after they were covered at the time of 

 planting. 



Other experiments, which have now lasted four years, 

 in planting potatoes at different dates showed that the 

 best results were obtained from the earliest plantings (end of 

 May). Practically nothing was obtained from potatoes 

 planted after the middle of July. 



\_Report on Experimental Farms, Canada, /go/.] 



Experiments with Bees. 



Various experiments have been conducted with bees in 

 Canada with reference to the most suitable sizes of comb- 

 foundations in sections. The trials were made with full sheets, 

 half sheets, quarter sheets, sheets two inches and one inch 

 square, and with no foundation ; there being in each hive 

 four sections. The full sheets gave the best results, the 

 sections being less finished according as they were smaller, 

 while the bees did not start to work in any section where 

 there was no starter. Similar trials were also undertaken 

 with brood foundations, viz., full sheets, half sheets, and two- 

 inch strips. Here again the full sheets w T ere in every instance 

 the best. 



Experiments were also undertaken to ascertain whether 

 bees would injure sound fruit, tnis question having given rise 

 to a good deal of controversy in Canada. The fruit consisted 

 of peaches, pears, plums, and grapes, all perfectly sound. 



