New Yoek Agricultural Experiment Station. 
83 
tubers, because the smallest tuber from A averaged decidedly smaller 
than the largest one from B. 
If we lay aside the exact numerical values and consider the yields 
only in terms of greater or less, it appears from the table that the mer- 
chantable yield of the largest tuber of A exceeded that of the largest 
tuber of B in sixty-nine cases, while the reverse was true in but thirty- 
eight cases; also that the yield of the smallest tuber of A exceeded 
that from the largest tuber of B in sixty-six cases, while the reverse 
was true in but thirty-five cases. 
Plat Tr ials. 
In addition to the garden tests just noted, six of the main plats, 
containing one-tenth acre each, were devoted to this same line of experi- 
ment, a quantity of seed having been selected for this purpose from the 
best and poorest hills of 1886. In order to avoid, as far as possible, 
the errors due to variation of soil, in adjoining plats, each alternate 
row of these plats was planted with one selection of seed, and the 
remaining rows with the selection intended for comparison. 
The soil was well prepared, but no fertilizer of any kind was used. 
The variety of potato was White Star, planted in rows 4 feet apart, 
the tubers or cuttings placed 1| feet apart, in furrows inches deep, 
and covered with 2 hoefuls of dirt, the hill stepped on by the coverer. 
The surface soil was rather dry at the time of planting, and but .04 
inch of rain fell for about 20 days thereafter. 
Plats B 6 and 7 were planted May 3, with the largest tubers from the 
best and poorest hills of 1886, cut to single eyes. The crop was har- 
vested October 8, and the yields were as follows : 
LARGEST TUBEES FE'M 
THE MOST PRODUC- 
TIVE HILLS. 
LARGEST TUBERS FR'M 
THE LEAST PRODUC- 
TIVE HILLS. 
Merch., 
lbs. 
Total, 
lbs. 
Merch., 
lbs. 
Total, 
lbs. 
Be, Rowl 
65% 
79 
92 
70% 
71% 
86 
101 % 
SlK 
Row 2 
68% 
87% 
69 
68% 
76^ 
93% 
77% 
76 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
Aggregate 
Aggregate 
307 
310% 
293% 
323% 
B 7, Row 1 
Row 2 
53% 
55 
59^ 
73 % 
63% 
67% 
60 K 
81% 
51 
60% 
60% 
59 % 
60% 
70% 
67% 
62 % 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
Aggregate 
Aggregate 
241% 
272% 
231 
2Q0X 
Aggregate for the 
two plats 
Aggregate for the 
548% 
613% 
525 
584% 
