

145 
As appears from the table the Buffalo Bill was most pro- 
ductive both in merchantable and total yield; Putman’s. 
Junks was second, and Burbank third. Calculating the 
yield of these per acre, allowing every eye to have grown 
and 60 pounds to the bushel, the first would have given a 
fraction over 275 bushels of merchantable tubers; the 
second a trifle less than 213 bushels, and the third a 
fraction less than 202 bushels. A rather severe drought 
in June much retarded the growth of the plants, and 
doubtless accounts in a measure for the small yield secured. 
The Harlequin, and Seedling “No. 2” from J. O. Reilley, 
yielded no merchantable tubers. The former of these is. 
grown only as acuriosity, having variegated foliage. Strict- 
ly speaking, it should not be compared for crop with other 
varieties, nor should the seedlings of Mr. O’Reilley, as the 
past season marks only the third year from the seed. The 
smallest yield from a named variety other than the Harle- 
quin, was from the Giant Osceola; at the rate of only a trifle 
more than 18 bushels of merchantable tubers per acre. 
The marked variations in the yield of different varieties 
are interesting. But it should be remembered that only 
those varieties that were planted at the same time, and that 
matured at the same time are comparable. Even if the 
soil were uniform, a difference in the date of planting or 
maturity might expose the varieties to marked changes in 
climatic conditions. 
In the following table is presented another phase of the 
question of prolificacy. The varieties, 66 in number have 
all been grown consecutively since 1883, and without a 
change of seed. In but three of these years, however, viz: 
1883, 1884 and 1886, were all grown in such a way as to be: 
strictly comparable for yield with one another. The list is. 
presented in the table for these years, the names being ar- 
ranged in the order of merchantable yield. Inall, the seed 
used was single eyes, planted in rows three and a half feet. 
apart, the cuttings one foot apart in the row. In 1886, the: 
soil was less highly fertilized than in the other seasons,. 
which is the only difference to be noted. 
