Weraroa Experimental Farm.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 May 1914, Page 2

Weraroa Experimental Farm.

A POTATO EXPERIMENT

(James Drysdale.)

At the Weraroa Experimental Farm an experiment was recently conducted to determine the best type of potato to select for seed purposes. The experimental area »vas ploughed from lea in July, 1913, and was planted on the 30th September of the same year. The variety selected was Up-to-date, and was grown alongside the main crop of that variety. Three rows were laid out. In No. 1 small whole potatoes were planted; in No. 2 selected uncut medium-sized tubers, about the size usually described as "suitable for the table"; and in No. 3 row cut seed from unselected rough large potatoes. Following was the result : — No. 1 row: Commercial size, 92 lb; small, 601b; total 1521b. No. 2 row: Commercial size, 313 lb, small 1251b; total 4381b. No. 3 row: Commercial size, 131 lb; small 431b; tital 1741b. No. 2 row not only gave a larger increase in weight over the other rows, but the potatoes were more satisfactory. The growth from the beginning was strong and vigorous, there .not being a blank in the row, while in every row in the main crop of the same variety there were blanks to be found. Nos. 1 and 3 were a fair average of the half-acre.—Journal of Agriculture.