
eNO. 83] Si = Ps 3 
_ This method of sand covering is nota practicable one for the 
farmers, but we can secure the same conditions to a certain degree 
_ by planting our potatoes upon ridges, and mulching the intervals 
F -with straw. In order not to favor the mulched plats, one plan 
since 1882 has been to allow the straw to replace all cultivation, and 
' such weeds as have appeared have been allowed to grow in every 
case. Ina trial in 1882 the mulched potatoes yielded per 100 hills 
924 lbs. merchantable, and 224 Ibs. unmerchantable tubers. Ordi- 
nary ridge culture yielded per 100 hills 834 lbs. merchantable and 
_ %% lbs. unmerchantable. The soil of this year’s trial was in poor 
~~ condition. 
4 In 1883, we had seven trials of this method, upon areas of one- 
_ twentieth of an acre. In no one case did the mulched plats yield 
the larger crop, and in some cases very manifestly inferior crop. 
The average figures obtained were : 
Merchantable 
Jie tubers. 
’ Seven mulched plats, average yield .......... Sees ewes 363 lbs. 
Seven unmulched plats, average yield................. 520 lbs. 
This trial we deem inconclusive, as on account of the’ moistness of 
_ the season we did not secure the theoretical conditions designed, 
- viz.: dry and warm soil for the tubers; cool and moist soil for the 
roots. 
; In 1884 we had five trials upon ten plats of one-twentieth acre 
- each. The resulting figures were from the single eyes used as seed, 
- and 400 lbs. phosphate per acre, as below: 
we | 
Single eyes. Merch. Total. 
Pv bermulched intervals 2. sis. vee 524.4 lbs. 547.4 lbs. 
unmulehed ...4...627 Nera ischx > 458.7 lbs. 477.5 lbs. 
Wise mulened. intervals. 24. te iS 490.6 lbs. 509.2 lbs. 
a unmulched...... eR are Centar at ke 529.5 lbs. 546.7 lbs. 
meV IJ. B: mulched intervals ..........5.. 321.5 lbs; 861.5 lbs. 
MUINCICHEC Gr rr ei te. a eels 405.0 lbs. 429.2 Ibs. 
a Quarter potatoes. 
© D115 mulched...... tere MER BL wre hii al at oe 833.2 lbs. 883.2 lbs. 
Merale unmulched . 2... we cee ee cee 566.5 lbs. 632.5 Ibs. 
MPO EN CG co iors oe vas Ce bes ban Sows s 782.7 lbs. 823.2 lbs. 
Mn EINUICNON yar ccs. Gis ee wes eas 806.7 Ibs. 8538.5 lbs. 
~ Average of the 5 mulched plats..... Loh Nee 590.5 lbs. 624.9 lbs. 
s | 5 unmulched plats ....... 553.8 lbs.. 587.9 Ibs, 
| The variation between the extreme yields for the mulched is quite 
large. This may be allowed for. by considering that the plats form 
_ two groups, occupying different portions of the field, the B series 
_ forming one and the D and E series forming the other, and the 
seed used single eyes in the one case and quarter potatoes in the 
§ 
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