Cornell University Library S 552.C3 n potato growing contests for bo ii 4 92 30 rian ‘ll 3 REPORT ON POTATO GROWING CONTESTS FOR BOYS IN CARLETON AND RUSSELL COUNTIES IN 1916_ REPORT ON Girls’ Gardening xd Canning Competition IN CARLETON COUNTY 1916 SEED PLOT OF POTATOES Potato Growing Contest for Boys in Carleton and Russell Counties. 1916. (Fifth Year of the Contest) A Potato Growing Contest, open to boys between the ages of 12 and 18 years, living on farms in Carleton County, was inaugurated in the Spring of 1912. The results of this Contest were so gratifying that a similar competition was opened the following year in Russell County also. For the past four years, namely, 1913, 1914, 1915, and 1916, competitions in these two Counties have been held, the prizes as well as the entire expense connected with them being met by Mr. R. B. Whyte, of Ottawa. * The Committee in charge of the Competitions, together with the rules govern- ing the latter and the prizes offered, are given in detail in the Report covering the work for 1913 and 1914, and are therefore not repeated here.* Before discussing the details of these competitions, special reference should be made to the exceedingly unfavourable season with which the competitors have had to contend in 1916. The spring, as is well known, was unusually wet, while the summer was the reverse. For a time it appeared as though the crops grown by the boys as well as by their parents would be an utter failure.’ A few, however, succeeded in harvesting a very fair crop, while others, thinking their crops too poor discontinued the work. Those in the two Counties who participated and carried out the details of the competition right through to the end under such discouraging conditions are to be highly complimented. Results of Contest in Carleton County. 1916. Applications were received from 15 boys in Carleton County in the spring of 1916. Of this number only four succeeded in carrying out the work fully. The names of these are given below in order of merit: 1. Donald P. Brownlee, North Gower. 2. Harry S. Wright, Carsonby. 3. Frank L. Perry, North Gower. 4. Fred C. McBride, Carp. (*This report may be had on application to the Secretary, Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, Canadian Building, Ottawa, Ont.) 3 i ’ t _WINNER OF THIRD PRIZE: WINNER OF FIRST PRIZE- Master Donald F. Brownlee, winner of first prize, was also awarded highest number of points in the contest of 1915 and stood fourth highest in the contest of 1914. This competitor realized the remarkable yield, considering the season, of 393 bushels per acre. His net profit per acre was $165.00, while the cost of producing one bushel was only .17 cents. The soil chosen was a clay loam after sod. To this was applied well rotted stable manure at the rate of 20 tons per acre. Cultivation was thorough through- cut the season, especially during the dry part of the summer. At digging time 60 especially good hills were selected to lay away for next year’s plot. At the County Fair Master Brownlee’s exhibit stood third, not being quite so uniform and smooth as were those of two of the other exhibitors. , WINNER OF SECOND PRIZE: Master Harry S. Wright, winner of second prize, has been a persistent com- petitor since these competitions started. In 1912 he won first place, in 1913 fifth, in 1914 fifth, and this year succeeded in winning second place. His exhibit at the County Fair was awarded highest number of points, being almost perfect. His yield however suffered unusually severely, as a result of which he has been forced to occupy a slightly lower position than the first prize winner. His yield per acre was 190 bushels, and the cost of producing one bushel was .39 cents. . This is more than double the cost of pro- ° ducing a bushel in the case of the first prize winner. Master Frank L. Perry, winner of third prize, is a new participant in these competitions. His work throughout the year was uniformly good however, but the unusually severe season rendered the task under his circumtsances, almost impossible. His yield per acre was 215 bushels, while the cost of producing one bushel was 34 cents. His net profit per acre was 4 FIELD NOTES ON POTATO PLOT-i916. Fall name of a ee au Age on May 16th, 1916...4./44)..... ¥. Name of parent or gnardian...# Post office addreaz.......! Variety of potatoea planted o ‘Where was seed obtained Soe Pome ms Did your plot consist of exactly 1/10 ‘What were the exact measurements?. . No. of elk lacs Character of soil. 4....No. plants or hills in each rov .. Length of each row... LL... < Beds eaiiy Character of sub-soi olf... What crop was grown on thig land in 1918. Date of going on land this spring (1916).................64 How was it cultivated before planting Kind of manure applied ... Did you use any commercial fertilizers, and if 89 what kind and how much?...... 7 heat? ACER Date of planting plot. poe: Did you use whole or cut potatoes... If cut potatoes were used, how soon after cutling were they used ?...... Did you sprinkle lime or land plaster on the sets after Cutting ?.....0:.ccceseeeeeeees PUR ronan Did you treat the tubers with formalin to prevent SCOD?..y....-.. specced How deep were the seta planted?............ a How was planting done? (by hand, by ee oi in 2 Zi ce in bales dug with wh noo Be bgp alo Number of pounds planted... Did all the sets grow and produce a good even stand?.. Dates of different cultivations between planting and digging ave Total number of times cultivated... .... Did you cultivate after each heavy r: ip Dates of spraying for bugs. Dates of spraying with Bordeaux Mixture... Oe. BB. - Did leaves ever become badly eaten by DUGS ?........0.sserreeeereee Mee Were tops beaten down badly by storms Date of first frost to blacken tops Condition'of tops at date of digging. Date of digging..........ccertereeeee sere ep r Did you select any apecially good hills to sow a seed plot next year, and if so, how many” Would you like to do some special work with potatoes again next year?... About what would be the average yield of potatoes per acre in your district this year?. ” Qbaut fe0-Pud. per cet, REPORT OF YIELDS. Weight of Marketable tubers (those over 2 in. in diameter and ing, from disease) ‘ 1300 Abed : pounds. Weight of diseased tubers de oettatted, Authors . pounds. Weight of small unsalable tubers (those less than 2 1n. in diameter and free from disease) 5 oO thes . pounds. Total weight of tubers on whole plot 43 ba Abd. Leyes pounds, CERTIFICATE OF YIELDS BY TEACHER OR OTHER PERSON NOT DIRECTLY INTERESTED I hereby certify that I personally supervised the digging and weighing of the pota- toes on the above mentioned plot and that the report of the yields as submitted above (Signed) Zs fr(7 coches (Teacher, Mifister, J.P., etc.) is correct. Dated at hrorth, G-01we»: this Jenth day of Bcloher. 1916. (over) . EXPENSES !N CONNECTION WITH PLOT & Rent of land (at rate of $3 00 per acre) 2S0 Cost of labour (4) For horses (at 10e per bour cach) “90 (b) For competitor (at 10c. per hour) . FO (c) For other assistance (at 20c. per hour) 1 FO Cust of manure (at $1.00 per ton) Jf, O90 Cost of commercial fertilizers . Cost of seed a. AF: Cost of spraying material - 5 + Total cost : a OB RECEIPTS. g Total value of salable potatoes on plot at 60c. per bushel LI. ao Value of unsalable tubers at 10c. per bushet e } 0 Total value - ” @ 3. he OAs STATEMENT. OF PROFIT AND LOSS. Total value of crop as above #5 3./0 Total cost of production é. Lo Net profit 2) 60. = Net cost of producing one bushel (60 pounds) Hy ‘ FT. Cad. Net profit per acre from the enterprise Lhereby certify that the information submitted in this Report Form is correct and that I have conducted the work according to the specified rules of the Competition to the best of my ability (Signed) onalZe Dated at rth. Y-owenr. (Competitor.) this JS ench day of 1916 $54.70. The soil chosen was clay loam with a gravelly subsoil. Land was ploughed in the fall and again in the spring. Mixed stable manure at the rate of 22 tons per acre was applied. At digging time 55 of the best hills were selected and laid away for next year. WINNER OF FOURTH PRIZE: Master Fred C. McBride, winner of fourth prize, was the only grower in the County who operator at an actual loss. His loss per acre was $13.00. Judging from his essay and report however he has not been at all discouraged. He says, “this is my first year to enter the competition. I have read the essays and observed results of the prize winners, which have given me no little benefit.’ The yield realized by Master McBride was 125 bushels to the acre, but the cost of producing one bushel in his case was .67 cents. Results in Russell County Contest. 1916. Applications to enter this competition were received from 16 boys, 9 of whom exhibited at the County Fair at Metcalfe and in other respects fulfilled all the requirements of the competition. The names of the above competitors are given below according to standing: Walter C. Hamilton, Navan. John R. Thompson, Cumming’s Bridge. Willard Presley, Casselman. Francis H. Cotton, Navan. Richard G. Clarke, Navan. Serson S. Clarke, Navan. Martin J. Clarke, Navan. Edward Potvin, Billings Bridge. Ed. T. McEvoy, Bowesville. Raoul Lecuver, Bowesville. Oi SO) OO SIUION OE ge Oe POLE eS WINNER OF FIRST PRIZE: Master Walter H. Hamilton, winner of first prize in the County, has been in the competition for four successive years. During the last three years he succeeded in winning second place each year, but profiting by his past experience, he per- severed, and this year heads the list. His yield this year was +20 bushels per acre, which is the highest yield obtained by any of the competitors. His net profit per acre this years was $174,00, as compared with $119.00 last year. It cost him .15 per bushel to produce his crop. The seed used was Registered stock. The soil chosen for the potato patch was a clay loam, the previous crop being peas. The "soil was well worked but no manure was used, although fifty pounds of Harab fertilizer was applied. Potatoes were cut into pieces and planted immediately after, being sprinkled with land plaster and treated with formalin to prevent scab. Fifty specially good hills were selected at digging time to plant his plot of next year. The yield he obtained is practically 8 double the average yield obtained by farmers in the district. The work of this — competitor throughout the entire season was uniformly good. As will be seen in the tables of points awarded on the different features taken into consideration, his . score on field work, on his exhibit at the County Fair, on his report and on his total yield, was. uniformly high. In his report he states: ‘‘With the money J received from Mr. Whyte last year I bought tile, and now have my field all under drained for next year, when I hope to have still better results.” WINNER OF SECOND PRIZE: Master John R. Thompson, of Cum- ming’s Bridge who won second place in the competition, has been a persistent competitor during the past five seasons. Last year he failed to win a prize, owing to his crop being totally destroyed by rot. Not being discouraged he again entered the competition this year and came with- in a few points of the first prize winner. His yield per acre was 350 bushels, but the cost of producing his crop was a little high, namely .30 cents per bushel. His net profit per acre was $99.70. An examination of the tables submitted will show that this competitor was awarded highest place on his field work and second highest on his exhibit at the Fair. The soil was sandy loam, stable manure being applied at the rate of twenty tons per acre. Complete fertilizer at the rate of 240 pounds to the acre was also -~ applied. WINNER OF THIRD PRIZE: | Master Willard Presley, although a new competitor, succeeded in winning third place in the face of very severe competition. At the County Fair his exhibit was awarded the highest number of points while in his field work he also took a high place. His yield, however, was not quite up to that of the first two prize winners, being 295 bushels per acre. The average yield in the district is given as about 100 bushels per acre. The cost of producing one bushel in this case was .23 cents and the net profit $98.30. The soil chosen was a sandy loam, to which stable manure at the rate of 20 loads per acre had been applied. Cultivation throughout the season was particularly thorough and every effort was put forth to realize best results. Master Presley, at digging time, selected 2 bushels of specially good hills to plant his plot next year. WINNER OF FOURTH PRIZE: Master Francis H. Cotton realized a very good yield for the season, namely 350 bushels. His plot was on a sandy loam soil after sod. Barnyard manure at the rate of 4 toms per acre was applied, no commercial fertilizer being used and at digging time 25 specially good hills were selected and laid away for next year’s plot. The net profit per acre realized 9 "by this competitor was $117.00, while the cost of producing one bushel was .20 cents. WINNER OF FIFTH PRIZE: Master Richard G. Clarke, winner of fifth prize, entered the competition in 1914, when he was awarded 7th place. In 1915 he won 6th place, while this year he improved his position still further und is to be complimented on his per- severance. In his report he states: ‘This is my third year in the competition and I like the work well. I think it is a very good plan to induce the boys to stick to the farm and to prosper. I also thank Mr. Whyte, and Mr. Newman, and anv other person connected with the Contest.” The soil was a clay loam and was ploughed both in the fall and spring. His yield was 255 bushels per acre. The : cost of producing one bushel in this case was .23 cents. The net profit per acre was $91.30. WINNER OF SIXTH PRIZE: Master Serson S. Clarke, who won sixth prize was in the competition this year for the first time and did remarkably good work throughout. His yield per acre was 245 bushels and his net profit $76.80. The cost of producing one bushel was .25 cents. Some of the competitors submitted excellent essays on their work in addition to their regular report. One of these, written by Francis H. Cotton, is submitted herewith as follows: “As J did not take a prize last year, I thought I would try again. The variety I used was the Green Mountain variety, purchased from Mr. Hamilton. I first measured a plot of sod on which barnyard manure had been spread last fall. It was 21 feet wide and 208 feet long. On the 20th of May. 1916, I got a team and ploughed the plot, planting the potatoes about 30 inches bemwees-each row. They were planted about 14 inches between each set, planting 178 sets in each row. Before planting the tubers were dipped in formalin, after which the seed was cut: Three days after planting they were disced. After discing thoroughly I then took the ‘flat harrow and harrowed them three times. In dagut two weeks’ time the potatoes appeared above the ground. With the appearance of the potatoes the bugs also appeared. The potatoes were too young to spray and I had to pick the bugs off in lottles. 10 Owing to the weather there were a good few misses. Soon the weeds appeared, and I went through them with the cultivator, afterwards hoeing them by hand. By the 1st of July the young bugs were becoming plentiful. I thought the plants by this time were strong enough to Paris Green. I got some Paris Green and water and sprayed them. After a few more days they were again sprayed for bugs. On the 14th of July I sprayed the potatoes for blight. In a week’s time they were again sprayed. While we were busy at the hay there were a few big weeds grew up. On the 20th of July I pulled these, making the plot look somewhat cleaner. Soon Fair time came around. On Saturday, Sept. 16th I dug some potatoes and out of these I selected a bushel for exhibiting. These I left in a bag until Tuesday morning, causing them to look wet and the sand to stick to them. To- wards October Ist, as the stalks were well deadened I thought I would dig them. On October 11th with a team and plow I dug the potatoes by ploughing them out. The harrew was then run over the plot and all the potatoes were picked. The potatoes were next loaded into the wagon and brought up to the house where they were weighed under the inspection of Mr. Wm. Elliott. They were then emptied out of bags on the cellar floor after I had selected one hundred and fifty pounds of seed for next year. (Sgd.) FRANCIS H. COTTON.” 11 Summary of Results Obtained in Boys’ Competitions. 1916. The average yield of the prize winners in Carleton County in 1916 was 268.2 bushels as compared with 403.9 bushels in 1915, 353.3 bushels in 1914 and 320.4 bushels in 1913. In Russell County the first six prize winners in 1916 averaged 319.1 bushels per acre compared with 433.7 bushels in 1915, 402.9 in 1914, and 289 bushels in 1913. In 1910 the average yield obtained by the prize winners in the two Counties was 293.6 bushels, which is approximately 5 times the average yield of potatoes in the Province this year, this being 61 bushels per acre, according to the Census and Statistics Report. The average net profit per acre for all com petitors in the two Counties in 1916 was $79.27, as compared with $113.23 in 1915. The average cost of producing one bushel in 1916 was 42.8 cents, as com- pared with 21.3 cents in 1915, 22 cents in 1914, and 34.8 cents in 1913. The average net profit per acre of the prize winners in the two Counties in 1916 was $90.05 as compared with $154.89 in ONE OF THE MEDALS AWARDED 1915. $149.77 in 1914 $82.33 i IN THE BOYS’ COMPETITION 1913. Oat oy Lie, Gti See Ste When the competitions started, several different varieties were grown, but in 1916 every competitor except one grew the Green Mountain variety and in practically all cases the seed used was registered stock. Fight of the competitors made a selection of particularly good hills for a plot next vear and every competitor except one signified a wish to continue with the work. The value of careful observation and of keeping detailed accounts so that the actual cost of production as well as the profits realized may be clearly shown, is more and more apparent with each year’s operations. , 12 GARDENING AND CANNING COMPETITION: FOR GIRLS. 1916. In the spring of 1915 a Gardening and Canning Competition open to girl: between the ages of ten und eighteen years, living on farms in the County ol Carleton, was inaugurated. The results of the competition in Carleton and Russel: Counties for boys during the three preceding years had heen such as to suggest the desirability of providing similar encouragement among the girls. The specific objects of the scheme, together with the rules of the Contest and the prizes offered are submitted in the Report issued last year, and are therefore not repeated here.* Results of Contest. 1916. Thirty girls participated in the Contest during the season of 1915, but owing to the very unfavourable weather conditions only ten carried out the work in all its details. The names of these girls are given below according to their standing: 1. Miss Gertrude Brownlee, North Gower. Miss Marjorie Craig, North Gower. Miss Evelyn Freeman, Bowesville. Miss Ethel Leach, North Gower. Miss Mildred Graham, Carp. Miss Marion Gillespie, Stittsville. Miss Clara Humphries, Carp. Miss Vera Roe, Stittsville. 9. Miss Mabel Mather, North Gower. 10. Miss Rena Shore, Stittsville. WINNER OF FIRST PRIZE: Miss Gertrude Brownlee, North Gower, who succeeded in winning first place this year, is to be highly complimented on the attention she has given to this work and to the perseverance she has shown. Last year she won second place in the Contest, but by reason of. the experience gained she was able this year to win out. The report submitted by Mr. Jackson, who inspected the gardens of the competitors during the growing. season, showed that although the garden was not the most favourably located, yet excellent work was done. The plants grown were as follows: raspberries, strawberries, corn, cauliflower, squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, pease, beets, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, parsley, cucumbers, rhubarb, musk-melon, water-melon, beans, lettuce and peppers. In the points awarded for work done in the garden, Miss Brownlee took fifth place, but at the exhibition at Richmond she won out over all the others by a substantial margin, and special praise is due her for the extremely fine exhibition which she made there. Her exhibit was splendidly arranged and decorated, while the variety and quality of the exhibits were almost perfect. Practically everything ‘grown in the garden was exhibited, either in raw or canned condition. Her exhibit of canned fruits and vegetables would be a credit to any exhibition. It was made up as follows: canned beans, pease, tomatoes, beets, rhubarb, raspberries, (*See Report on Girls’ Canning and Gardening Competition in Carleton County, held in 1915. Pages 11-14.) WN AMEE 13 tomato chow-chow, cucumber pickle, beet and cabbage pickle, tomato pickle, sweet water-melon pickle, red cucumber pickle, sweet tomato pickle, green tomato catsup, red tomato catsup, strawberry marmalade, rhubarb wine. An excellent essay was also submitted. WINNER OF SECOND PRIZE: Miss Marjorie Craig, of North Gower, who won second place in the Contest, was only a half-point behind the first prize winner. Her essay and report was awarded the highest number of points and her garden received only half a point less than did that of the first prize winner. Her exhibit at Richmond was excellent, but owing to the remarkable exhibit of Miss Brownlee, consisting as it did of so large a selection of canned fruits and vege- tables, her exhibit had to take second place, although only 34% points behind the first prize exhibit. When everything was taken into consideration, the judges decided that the highest honor must go to Miss Brownlee, with Miss Craig a very close second. The essay submitted ly the latter is especially creditable. In view of the excellent summary given in this essay of the weather conditions with which the competitors had to contend, together with the idea which it conveys regarding the amount of work entailed, it is given below in full as follows: “The best laid plans of mice and: men gang aft agley.” The farmers and gardeners of this country will not be inclined to dispute the truth of the above quotation this season at least. The weather man was unmerciful. ‘The heavens opened and the floods came,’ not quite so bad as in Noah’s time, yet bad enough to prevent any seed from being sown till much later than usual. I had everything ready to get my garden in early last spring, but planning went for nothing. However I managed to get the seeding done before the heaviest of the rains and it had made a good start when the dry weather began. The ground was ploughed on May 9th, nearly three weeks later than last year. It rained immediately afterwards so I did not get working it until May 13th. Last fall it was well manured, also a load of muck had been spread over the ground. As it seemed late, I put in nearly everything on the same day, and it was well I did, as it was some time before I could get any nearer than the garden gate. where it was quite comforting to view the drills standing in water. It rained very heavily and steadily for three days of the next week, starting on Tuesday. I had the good fortune to set out my tomato plants that morning. They did very well after some time. I had to plan my garden a little differently this season. Last fall I set out sixteen strawberry plants at the end of the raspberry rows, thus extending the rows about eight feet, making them 74 feet long. To conform as nearly as posible to the appointed size of the garden, one row was dropped off the width. I put the drills in closer this year, as space between the raspberry rows was not available. They were about two feet apart this year instead of two feet ten inches, as last year. They were almost too close to work them with comfort, but by doing so I was enabled to have greater variety. : 14 The tomato plants were placed betwecn the two rows of peas, so that when the peas were pulled, they had plenty of room. On May 13th the following seeds were sown :— Onions—Potato, Multiplier, Red Wethersfield, and Top Onions. Lettuce—Grand Rapids, Hanson and Iceberg. Moss Curled. Cauliflower—Early Snowball. Parsley. Radish—Coopers Sparkler. Sage, Savoury, Peppers. Beans—Golden Wa, Pease—American Wonder. Parsnips—Hollow Crown. Carrots—Nantes Half-long and Danvers Half-long. Cabbage—Wiinningstadt Flat Dutch and Danish Round head. Beets—Long Blood and Turnip. On May 27th Golden Bantam corn was sown in alternate rows. I had seed of another kind, but was advised not to plant it as they would be liable to mix in so small a plot. Squash seed was sown between the rows of corn and there are now eleven good-sized squashes available for Hallowe’en pic. A few pumpkin seeds were planted among raspberry plants and there are now twenty-two pumpkins ready for use. On the same date musk melons were sown among peas and although the vines had not much room owing to tomato plants, there are musk melons—I won't tell how many. Arlington White Spine Cucumbers were sown among the beans and the small pickling cucumbers in the space left in two rows of onions nearer the outer edge of the garden. I planted a few citron seed but was obliged to pull up vines owing to the crowding of other things. Water-melon was sown among the radishes, and after the radishes were pulled we had water-melons. Everything did well with the exception of cabbage and cauliflower. There are now seventeen fine looking cauliflower plants, just beginning to head. If the weather keeps open till Christmas I am hoping to have seventeen cauliflower heads. There are twenty-four heads of cabbage but much smaller than last year. It was a continual fight with the cut worm and it seemed to be impossible for some time to stop the pest, although poisoned bran was used, as last year. The seed was sown in the ground as last year, but owing to the late spring it would have been better to have plants from window boxes to set out. 15 Three kinds of tomato seed were sown in boxes on March 12th, Earliana, Chalk’s Early Jewel and Dwarf Stone. Twenty-four plants were set out as stated before on May 16th. The Jewel ripened first this year on July 27th. Practically all the Jewel and Earliana had ripened when the harvest frost came but the fruit of the Stone was just as its best. I think it was about September 1st when the first Stone tomato ripened, but the fruit was very firm and of good quality. In all, 197 pounds were produced this year as against 255 last year, the weather no doubt accounting for this. On May 27th I planted Black Wax and Green Beans. I canned six quarts and about twenty quarts were used in the house. There are a good number of ripe ones on the vines. Eleven hills of Green Mountain potatoes were planted below corn at the end of the garden, but the yield was not great. On the same date a short drill of table turnips was planted and they appear to be of good quality. The raspberry plants look well at the close of this season. The spaces where plants did not grow last year were filled up with suckers this year and I gave away twelve good healthy ones. I gathered six quarts of berries of which I canned three. It did not seem to be a very large yield, but the local wild strawberries were a very poor crop also. The berries kept ripening until about September Ist. I have been wondering if this is a property of the Herbert raspberry. bearing fruit for a long season. Judging by the present appearance of plants there should be a large yield next summer. Growing in the grass by the fence alongside of my garden were some old red currant and gooseberry bushes. I dug around them, kept the worms killed and canned the fruit for exhibition in Richmond, being assured by Mr. Jackson that this was allowable. I set out three roots of rhubarb in my garden last fall and canned the fruit. NX One quart of strawberries and one only was canned, as that was all those sixteen plants bore, but likely next year there will be more. Thirteen kinds in all pf vegetables and fruit were canned, viz: raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, red currants, small carrots, small beets, tomatoes, peas, beans, pumpkin, green beans, wax beans and corn. If it is not too dry or too wet next summer, no doubt experience gained the past two summers will enable me to make a much better showing than I have done yet.” WIN NER OF THIRD PRIZE: Miss Evelyn Freeman, of Bowesville, who succeeded in winning third place is to be congratulated in taking so high a position in so keen a competition. Miss Freeman’s garden was located on sandy soil, and for this reason required particular attention during the long, dry summer. In spite of the difficulties met with, she considered her garden even a better success than the garden she had last year. Her garden in fact was slightly better than the garden operated by the first two prize winners. Her exhibit at Richmond was excellent, 16 although not quite’so good as those of the first and second prize winners. The essay submitted by this competitor ranks second in the competition . It is extremely well written and indicates an unusually close attention to detail and a keen observation. WINNER OF FOURTH PRIZE: Mliss Ethel Leach of Stittsville, winner of fourth prize, also had an excellent garden which obtained an equal score to that of Miss Freeman. Her exhibit at the County Fair, however, as well as her essay, while both extremely creditable, were not quite so good as were those of the latter. The detailed statement of awards on work in the garden, exhibit at the County Fair, and the essay submitted, indicate how close most of these competitors rank in total score. The essay submitted by this competitor, covering her year’s work, is given below in full: “Although my reason for entering the “Girls’ Gardening and Canning Contest” was wholly a selfish one, namely, to get the raspberry plants so I would not have to go away to pick berries, I have found it not only interesting but beneficial. When I entered the competition, although I was sixteen, I knew practically nothing about either gardening or canning. This year I have done my best but I know my vegetable garden is poor as compared with those on high ground. In the Spring the water reached to the top of the drills. I wasn’t able to put a seed in the ground until June. Still I have learned a great many things about gardening which I am sure I will always remember. To spend from two to three hours a week in the garden also became a pleasure instead of, as it seemed before, a drudgery. My raspberrics did very well. After replacing the ten which didn’t grow last year, I gave away forty suckers. In all I picked fifteen and one-half quarts off the thirty canes which grew. I canned eleven and a half quarts, all of which have kept perfectly. The other four quarts we used otherwise. My tomato plants didn’t do well at all, on account of the ground being so cold and wet. Then when they did get rightly started the weather was so dry and hot that they remained almost at a standstill. My first ripe tomato didn’t appear until the end of August. Consequently I had just picked four quarts of ripe ones when I had to pull all that were on the vines, or they would have been frozen. I used four quarts of green ones in pickles and had about twenty pounds besides. I canned the four quarts which ripened. The seed used was “Chalk’s Early Jewel.” I canned five quarts of beets when they were quite small and had twenty- eight pounds besides. They were the Eclipse variety. I had forty-two pounds of Chatenay Carrots. I planted an early and a late variety of Peas. The late one (Stratagem) I found the better. We used all the early ones and I canned three quarts of the late ones. We have enough for seed of each kind put away for next year. 17 I cannot tell what quantity of Beans grew in my plot as I planted them at different times and used them as soon as they were fit. I canned two quarts. I planted three kinds of onion seed, “Silverskin Pickling,” “Red Wethers- field” and “Yellow Globe Danvers.” None did very well on account of the weather, but the onion maggot didn’t bother them any. I used two quarts in pickles and had sixteen pounds besides. In addition to the above, which were necessary for the competition, I planted the following varieties :— Corn—This I found more bother than any of the kinds above mentioned, as it had to be hilled up so often. The seed used was Ivory White. We used forty cobs and I canned six quarts. Besides this, I have enough put away for next year’s seed. “Cabbage—I planted three kinds of seed, “Early Winningstadt,” ‘Red Rock,” and “Premium Flat Dutch.’ I had a lot of trouble with the Cabbage, fighting the Black Fly, the Green Cabbage Worm and the Cut Worm. The first two I got rid of by the continued use of Paris Green. I used poisoned Bran for the Cut Worms, putting it around the plants. I used the Red Cabbage in pickles. In all I had forty heads. Cauliflower—I had sixteen heads of “Early Snowball.” Celery—This I found the most interesting and also the hardest to raise, of all. I planted the seed, “White Plume,” in the house in the Spring and set out the young plants in a trench. As they grew taller I filled earth in around them. Thad thirty-three bunches. Melons—I grew twelve nice large watermelons in my plot. Cucumbers and Squash—I used nine quarts of cucumbers, “Improved White Spine,” in pickles when they were quite small, and had twenty-six pounds which ripened. I had ten squash. Savory—This I tied in bunches to dry. I had twelve bunches. Lettuce, Radish and Parsley—All of these I grew in abundance. I planted the seeds in the spaces on either side of the young raspberry canes which I set out this year. As the canes were small they did not shade the plants. We used both Lettuce and Radish from my plot as soon as they were fit to use, early in the summer, until a short time ago. I kept planting a little patch of each, about every two or three weeks all summer. By the time one patch was done another was ready to use. All the vegetables I canned kept well, not a single sealer spoiling.” WINNER OF FIFTH PRIZE: Miss Mildred Graham, of Carp, winner 18 of fifth place, had an excellent garden, taking the second highest number of points in this feature of the competition. Her essay was also excellent, but her exhibit at the County fair could not compete with those of the previous competitors men- tioned. “The exhibit was not very large, but the quality was excellent. Miss Graham won 8th place in the competition last year and is to be complimented on improving her position. WINNER OF SIXTH PRIZE: Miss Marion Gillespie, winner of sixth place, had the best garden of all participants in the contest. Her exhibit at the County Fair was also creditable, but not quite up to the high standards set by most of the others. The quality of her canned fruits and vegetables was practically on a par with that of the other exhibitors, but the quantity shown was not so great. The essay submitted showed close attention to detail, although it did not contain quite so comprehensive an account of the work as did most of the other competitors. WINNER OF SEVENTH PRIZE: The seventh place in this competition was awarded to Miss Clara Humphries of Carp. This competitor had an excellent garden and submitted a very fair essay, but by reason of not having exhibited any vegetables at Richmond, the points awarded her exhibit fell considerably short of those won by the others. Her exhibit of canned fruits and vegetables was excellent, both in point of quantity and quality. The score card used in judging the exhibits at Richmond (see p. 30) would indicate the large number of points lost by reason of not having shown any vezctubles. WINNER OF EIGHTH PRIZE: Miss Vera Roe of Stittsville, who won eighth place, was particularly unfortunate in her garden. The very wet spring retarded growth very seriously, and in some cases ruined the plants completely. This made it difficult to make a first class showing at the County Fair, although the exhibit on the whole was exceedingly creditable. The essay, like the exhibit, suffered to a very considerable extent by reason of lack of material. Speaking generally, the outcome of this year’s competition has shown very clearly that even the worst sort of weather conditions can be overcome to a very large extent by thorough work and intelligent application. The perseverance displayed ly the girls under the trying conditions of the past season, and the results which have awarded their efforts should be a great incentive and encour- agement to others. The Committee is confident that this sort of work will mean much to those who participated in it and we hope that the number of competitors will be greatly increased next year. 19 Public Meeting. Council Chamber, City Hall, Ottawa, November 25th, 1916, at which the Results of the Contest were announced, Prizes Presented and Addresses Delivered. A Public Meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall, Ottawa, on Saturday afternoon, November 25th, for the purpose of presenting the prizes won by the competitors in the three competitions and of listening to addresses by certain prominent citizens. Fifty-five persons were present, including a number from the city. Mr. R. B. Whyte acted as Chairman and after a few introductory remarks called on the Secretary, Mr. L. H. Newman, to present a report on the work. Following the presentation of this Report, Mr. Whyte took occasion to emphasize the very striking fact regarding the profits which are possible where work of this sort is done thoroughly well. Mr. W. D. Jackson of Carp, who judged the gardens followed with a short address, as did a number of others. These addresses are given below: Address by Mr. W. D. Jackson. (District Representative of Agriculture, Carp, Ont.) It was rather discouraging for those living in Carleton County to know that only four boys who entered the Boys’ Potato Growing Competition in that County, were able to carry the work through to a successful conclusion. This was due largely to the particularly adverse climatic conditions. The same conditions affected the Girls’ Gardening and Canning Competition. A number of entries were received from girls living in the township of Goulbourne—a section of the county in which the weather rendered soil conditions particularly unfavorable. In the Potato Growing Contest we find each year bring with it some important gain. We find, for instance, that the treating of potatoes for Scab is Lecoming more and more general each year. Probably the general tendency to treat grain and potatoes in 1916 was a result of the damage done by Rust, Smut and Scab in 1915. Increased attention in the treating of potatoes for Scab has been shown in a very marked degree this year. In scoring the plots we used the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association score card, following it out in every detail and leaving no stone unturned in scoring the plots and at the same time showing the competitors wherever possible, where they might improve their work or where additional care and attention might increase their results. 20 In the Girls’ Gardening and Canning Competition we see improvement to even a more marked degree than in the boys’ competitions. Some of the com- petitors who were in the competition last year gave a great deal more care and attention to their plots in 1916. We see a greater variety of fruits and vegetables being grown. We also found a greater variety of the differnt kinds of vegetables being grown. There are several instances where the raspberry plants supplied by Mr. Whyte were total failures due to the unfavorable conditions prevailing. Some of the competitors continued with their gardens under the worst possible conditions and finally in the summer when it was practically hopeless to obtain results they gave it up. I found, however, that there were others who continued on into mid- summer with their garden with the berries to help out and who tried to accomplish something with it, but owing to the heavy clay land in Goulbourne township it was practically impossible for them to get any results whatever. We also found a great many gardens that were not suitably located, showing that the girls were interested and endeavoring to do something but had not received much encourage- ment. They were in some instances, unable to obtain a patch of land suitable for a garden and we found, therefore, an odd failure due to this cause. The highest score awarded on garden work was given to Miss Miriam Gillespie. This competitor had an excellent garden although she worked under more unfavorable conditions probably than did a lot of other competitors and celtainly under worse conditions than two or three of the winners. She had, in my opinion, the best garden that I have seen in the county during this or any other year. Her garden was very well located and contained a fair variety of plants. The varicties grown were in such quantities as to be of some considerable economic use in the household. Adjoining her garden was the general farm garden—a garden that was a decided credit, and I believe that Miriam Gillespie was largely responsible. The garden of Mildred Graham of Carp ranked second. This was a garden with not a great variety of plants but one which was well located and excellent care and attention was given to details. Miss Lillian Tierney operated a garden which scored third: This really wes an excellent garden. Last year she had a splendid garden also, but as she failed to send in u report on her work her name did not appear in the prize list. She had one of the best and probabiy one of the nicest planned gardens of any of the competitors. Miss Clara Humphries of Carp had a garden similar to that of Mildred Graham and it scored only a few points less. The gardens were situated under more or less similar conditions and probably the excellent care Bes to these ie gardens was due to the fact that the two girls could see each other’s garden daily, with the result that « little rivalry entered into their work. 21 Miss Mary Davidson had an excellent garden, kept in good condition, but had not the soil conditions to accomplish best results. Miss Ethel Leach of North Gower had one of the gardens having the greatest variety of vegetables. It also showed that excellent care had been taken. The plot of Miss Gertrude Brownlee was in what I considered a very poor location—one that required a great amount of cxtra work to keep the garden in proper condition. In spite of this she accomplished excellent results and produced a great many different varieties of vegetables and fruits. Her work showed a great deal of perseverance and industry. With conditions under which Miss Brownlee worked, the majority of the competitions would have given up. Miss Marjorie Craig had the greatest number of varieties of all competitors and had a garden in excellent condition. The soil was a little heavy to give best results but this garden, had it been large enough, to permit the growing of each variety to a greater extent, would have been of more economic use. 2 In the case of Mable Mather the soil-was very heavy. This fact, together with the fact that this competitor had only a limited amount of time to spend on her garden, caused her score to be lower. Miss Rena Shore carried the work to completion under the most adverse con- ditions. I doubt if 50 per cent. of the farmers living in the same district as this ‘competitor would thresh their grain this year. There were hundred of acres of spring sown grain that was never cut, and the farm on which she had her garden was a heavy clay just as low and flat as any of these farms. Her raspberry plants were a failure. She deserves credit for making an effort to get such results as she could. In conclusion, I wish to say that I appreciate this added opportunity of getting in touch with the farmers throughout the county. We find that we have cases where the farmers say, “Well, if my son or neighbor’s son is able to obtain such results, why not we?’—and we get quite a number of cases where farmers are accomplishing better results in potato growing as a result of the boys’ accom- plishments. Address by the Hon. Arthur Meighen, Ottawa, Ont. I am glad of the opportunity of being present on this occasion, and I wish at the outset to state how we all should appreciate the public spirit shown by Mr. Whyte in inaugurating Contests of this kind. We are all too lacking in men who are ready to give their time, energy and especially their money to projects that are for the country’s good. No one can do anything to stimulate production, particu- larly now, and fail to be regarded of public service. Mr. Whyte is in the front row and is an example to all others. I understand that he has made a very pronounced success himself in gardening and plant improvement work. . 22 T look upon rural work of this sort as valuable, not only for the results that are obtained but most of all for the effect upon the boys and girls themselves. No class needs that sort of work so much as do the boys and girls in the city. In the country the boy particularly has a great advantage over the city boy. The boy raised in the country, particularly where these competitions ure carried on, has a much better start in the world than the boy brought up in Ottawa. The very loneliness of his early years gives him an opportunity for thinking out his future and building his plans. Of course there are not to be found in every backyard in Ottawa one-tenth and one-twentieth acres of ground. If such were available there would be more good done })y encouraging boys to work in Ottawa than out in the country. Showing results for energy spent instead of energy spent without results is what education in essence is. Mr. Whyte has given wonderful figures as to results this year on these small plots. This year everything is abnormally high. But in ordinary times I do not know a year in which a garden, intelligently worked, has not paid, and in this country we have no need to complain very much of the high cost of living as long as we can be pointed at as cultivating our own gardens. Our prices might not be low because they are governed by markets which are hundreds and thousands of miles from here. We are bound to have abundance as long as we wake up and keep busy. I do not pretend to be much of a judge of gardening, but I know from my knowledge of human nature, that if some publicity can be given to the work the boys are doing in these competitions—better publicity than has been given—it would indeed be in the interests of the country. Furthermore, if, instead of Mr. Whyte and those who have so generously given their time and attention to these competitions—if instead of them alone visiting these plots they could arrange to take some of the people of Ottawa to see them it would be a great encouragement. I have read the essays that appear in the reports and I notice that the same young lady who got first prize on her essay Jast year was again first this year. I am not surprised at this, but in my opinion the essay of this year was not so good as that of last year. It was good, but the literary form of last year’s essay was better and was such that I could predict that with proper energy, study, and hard work, brilliant results might be expected in the future life if that girl devotes herself to writing. Her essay excelled in simplicity of style and absence of clumsiness, that really made it a splendid production. t words I have of encouragement. I I am glad to be here to offer you wha and I hope that many other wish the competition every success in future seasons, boys and girls will be influenced to take up the work, Address by Dr. James W. Robertson, Ottawa, Ontario. ho congratulate Mr. Whyte on I ithe associate myself with those w eee f the Boys’ Potato Contest the progress of this great movement—the fifth year o 23 and the second of the Girls’ Gardening and Canning Contest. I think Mr. Whyte was very lucky in his avenue of approach. He has appealed to interests that exist in the country as well as in the City. Some pcople attempt to boss us and in doing so forget entirely that we have personal preferences and very strong interests, which if appealed to will make us do things which no amount of bossing will bring out. He appealed to that interest in the form of competition, and where is the boy, even two years old, who does not want to compete with some other boy? So he was wise in his appeal and he was wisest of all in his form of appeal in directing the interest of competitors towards the soil. Many of the competitions of to-day are for things utterly futile. They leave nothing behind of real service for the country’s good. But in this competition we have something really worth while both in the visible and invisible. The past season was bad and we are apt to believe that if a piece of bread and butter falls that the buttered side goes on the floor, but I have tried and have found that it is not always so. Taking the whole five years of the Contest in the two counties, the average yield of potatoes of all the competitors was 264 bushels to the acre. One boy had 652 bushels per acre, which was exceptionally good. This was not by accident but by good management. In spite of the past season being so unfavourable, one boy had 420 bushels to the acre. In regard to the profits, in the first year the first competitor realized $199,00 to the acre, but the average of the profits per acre of the first prize winners for the five years was $229.00 per acre. One of the good things of this Contest has been the publication of these two booklets which give excellent information for young and old. (“Potato Culture” and “Home Gardening and Canning.”) If these could he read, studied and practised by a large number of people it would be an immense gain to the country. In preserving fruits and vegetables the girls have shown a great deal of success and skill. This work is not only very valuable to themselves but to their localities. I have been speaking about the visible results of these competitions on the competitors. I want now to say something about the invisible products that are really invaluable. These are the products that are left in the competitor. The others are those outside the competitor and shown to the judges. But even the essays do not enable the judge to estimate the power that the writer has required to produce the essay. Just think of all the fun Mr. Raynor. would have if he were to take twenty prominent men of Cunada that he knows and were to size them up by the same scale of points which he used in judging the exhibits. I am thinking he would have some fun. But then he would miss, after all, being able to score the invisible in the men—the motive and the soul and the power that lay behind the external action. ahs contest itself was not really one which pitted the boys against each other as individuals. It caused them to challenge conditions in each of themselves and 24 conditions around them on the farms on which they had work to do. What had they to strive against most? The lack of knowledge and ability to do good work with satisfactory results; the want of power to reason logically upon conditions and situations, and the want of practice in judging for themselves what best to do. They had to bestir themselves also, to some extent, no doubt, against the lack of willingness and desire to do plain every-day work in the best way possible. In the contest the several boys gained knowledge of soils, of plants, of insects and diseases injurious to plant growth. They gained ability to use tools and implements, and acquired practical acquaintance with some of the best pro- cesses of cultivation. They studied the reasons for and against certain courses of action and developed the power of judging for themselves what to do in the presence of those. The best results which came to them were the gains in power to manage themselves and to manage things. Similar benefits were brought out by the girls in their work in the Gardening and Canning Competitions. In all this there was co-operation between the boys and Mr. Whyte and those who assisted him, more particularly Mr. L. H. Newman, Secretary of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association; Mr. W. T. Macoun, the Dominion Horticulturist; Mr. T. G. Raynor of Seed Commissioner’s Branch; and Mr. Jackson, the District Representative of the Ontario Department of Agriculture. Their progress arose from the doing of something definite which they understood; from trying to do it in the very best way; and from doing it in co-operation with others. The contest revealed co-operation not only for personal gain, through the crop and the possible winning of a prize, but also co-operation for the public benefit. The results of the contest have been a distinct contribution to the good name of Carleton and Russell Counties. The kind references to Mr. Newman, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Raynor are thoroughly merited by what they have done, but then I certainly have no sympathy for them in regard to the tasks that have been put upon them. I think any boy who won a prize and then felt the increased power in it would be the last fellow to complain of the trouble that has been taken. These three men have been doing just the same sort of thing—they have been cultivating their plots, and while a boy might get a great many more bags of potatoes, they have got a great many more times as much power and happiness in the boys and girls who have cultivated them, and 1 am sure this is more than enough satisfaction for any service they have rendered. I am sure that when Mr. Whyte meets St. Peter and is asked, “What sort of record did you bring up” he will have some pretty good fruits from Carleton and Russell Counties, and he will get the reception of the fine old hus- bandman, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Address by Mr. T. G. Raynor, Ottawa, Ont. I have been classed, along with Mr. Newman and Mr. Jackson, as having had very arduous labours in connection with these contests, but I look upon any work I have done as giving me a little holiday, embracing as it did nice little trips 25 in Mr. Whyte’s automobile to both Metcalfe and Richmond and about two hours’ work judging the exhibits at each place. I do not feel, therefore, that any credit is due me, but rather that I am under obligation to Mr. Whyte. This work is a great pleasure and it does me genuine good to sec the fun Mr. Whyte gets out of spending his money for the benefit of the boys and girls on the farm. In the part of the work at exhibitions he comes up against the finished product and it does him all sorts of good to note the progress that is being made. In connection with the judging itself we have to use a score card, which on the whole has proven quite a satisfactory method. The points considered are as follows: f,, “Gkatic: Ob Crop 22S ee Se ee oa ee 5 De Viger pacswesecuabosencc loess oo See 5 $.,. “PypPO. 25-5 226 seer eee tee et ete ang eS 5 As ACUMINGHON 28 4 ee eee eee eee ey et 10 5. Fréedom from diseases and insects _--.-----------_-~_-- 20 Os. (Purity eee ee beer arcr ones we nee a eas 20 7. Number and weight of marketable potatoes per hill_--_--- 10 ee State and uniformity of maturity _--._-__--------------- 10 * <9, Shape, smoothness and color ___-__-_------------------ 15 (otalass cee c Sens acece oases 100 \ * You at once recognize that emphasis is laid upon quality. You have heard ‘about adverse conditions in the weather this season. It meant that the boys could not get even a bushel of potatoes which were uniform in size, shape and colour from their plots. Remember, fellows, that a good deal rests upon appearance, size and colour. Two or three lots this year seemed to show evidence of lack of purity. I would advise you to watch the vines in growing and see that they look alike. Three points should be especially considered in potatoes. These are yield, quality, and freedom from disease. We might regard these as the three “R’s” in potato growing, viz: Reproductiveness, Relish, and Robustness. All tubers have a large percentage of water and some dry matter, a combina- ‘tioh which makes excellent food. 78.3 per cent. of the potato on the average is water. Now the solid part consists of 18 per cent. Starch, 2.2 per cent. Protein, 1 per cent. Ash, 1 per cent Fat, and 4 per cent. Fibre. Protein means ‘flesh “former’—that part of the food which gives us bone and muscle. There is a great loss of this tissue building element when the potato is peeled before cooking. I have seen potatoes which have been peeled before being cooked, standing in cold water for half an hour or more. When that is done about 88 per cent. of the protein is dissolved out and, of course, it is wasted. So that flesh forming part is lost. -If in the place of cold-water, hot water were poured over the pared potatoes, this loss would be reduced to 10 per cent., whereas if you did not pare them at all but cook them in their “jackets” the loss of albumen or protein is reduced to a 26 very slight degree. The potato also contains 1 per cent. Ash or mineral matter and part of this is lost in paring also. We judge the quality of the potato in two ways, namely, by appearance and cooking. In the final analysis, of course, cooking is the best indication of quality, but when we are judging these potatoes at the Fair we have no chance to cook them—we have to judge by appearance. When we see a potato which has a skin net-veined and a little rough on the surface we feel almost assured that when we cut that potato it is going to show good quality. On many of the potatoes this year you will find a lot of the skin is ruffled up or brazed. In that case the potato has not been properly matured and very often these potatoes will cook to mush on the outside when inside they will be hard. When I am examining these potatoes for quality I usually commence at the stem end and cut them lengthwise. Then I look at the inside. In a potato of good quality we find the following layers: (a) Epidermis or skin with pigment just below it. (b). Cortical, inner outer. (c). Medullary Rays, inner. outer. The outer cortical layer is not very rich in starch but the inner layer is, and the wider that section is the more starch and the better is the quality of the potato. Then next to the cortical layer is the outer medullary rays which are also rich in starch. The inner medullary rays are poorer in starch. Now, remember, that the starch is in the inner cortical aver and outer medullary rays. When the starch is all distributed in a solid mass, so that you cannot see a well defined water core, that potato is pretty sure to be good and will cook out dry and mealy, whereas the potato which shows a water core is inferior in quality and will cook out wet and soggy. Boys, get some potatoes and study them from these standpoints. Note the indications of quality and then have your mother cook them and just see how the cooking process compares with your ideas of quality. I do not know of any more practical way of learning how to judge quality in potatoes. These potatoes (indicating) are affected with the late blight, a disease that Eastern and Western Canada where potatoes was very prevalent this year in both e disease very much depreciates the value of were a good crop. You see that th the potato and causes a very great waste. Address by Mr. W. T. Macoun, Experimental Farm, Ottawa. o me if any of the success of this competition Culture’ which I prepared. The information erience at the Experimental Farm at It certainly is very gratifying t is due to the booklet entitled ‘Potato given is based on a good many years’ exp 27 Ottawa. I hope, in 1917, to publish a new bulletin which will be of still greater value to potato growers. If there are any points regarding potato growing in which you think we could be of assistance to you do not fail to write us. It is a matter of very great interest to me that the competitors all grew the Green Mountain potato. It is not so many years ago that the Maggie Murphy potato was the variety most favoured in this district, for the reason that it withstood blight very well and did not require spraying. The drawback, however, to that variety is its poor quality, and I think the growers are to be congratulated in changing over to the Green Mountain which is very productive and good in quality. By growing this variety you are pleasing your customers and at the same time getting a very good yield. As Mr. Raynor pointed out, the potato that is most in demand today is the one with very shallow eyes. In England the new varieties are oblong or oval, with very few and shallow eyes. In this country they have not as yet become very popular, but one has been advertised very extensively called “Davies’ Warrior.”” If you have not tried it I would strongly advise you to get a sample. It has very shallow eyes, is productive and seems to withstand adverse conditions. Another variety is “Table Talk” which our Experimental Farms were instrumental in distributing. This variety was introduced from England and ‘was obtained by the Lacombe, Alta. Experimental Station and we have been distributing a large number of samples. It also, can withstand adverse weather conditions. Then there is another variety—the Dalmeny Hero—an old country variety which I think may in time be one of those to replace Green Mountain. I do not know what the experience of the competitors has been, but after trying experiments for a good many years, we find that the earlier the potato can be put into the ground after May Ist, the better. The earliest planted give best results. Plant your potatoes just as soon as you can get them in the ground after the Ist of May. Many of you will have observed this year that a great many potatoes were developed in the latter part of the season. Mr. Raynor directed your attention to the fact that they were not ripe at all. I think the reason for this was that during the dry spell very few tubers set, and the main part of the crop developed late. In our experience potatoes do not form in dry weather to any extent. Although the plant may go on growing, the tubers do not develop, but if you will take the trouble to keep the tops green during the dry spell then you are amply repaid just as soon as cool weather sets in. Those of you who had the tops green all through September, I am sure, were those who got the largest crop. 28 Tables Showing Scores Awarded on Different Points. _ Carleton County—1916. N re | Scores ame o om- no a as petitor Age Variety Bield | Rete a ; saline Tl | Score | Yield | Exhibit | en Total DonaldP.Brownlee} 14 | Green Mt s4 | | ; : - Harry S. Wright ..| 16 ee e | i. oy | (433 Frank L. Perry ..| 16 | 74 70 | e 2 a5. Fred; GC, i = ii red. C. McBride 15 | ” | 83 | 65 87 50 285 Russell County—1916. | | Walter Hamilton ...... I7 | Green Mt | 8 > | lohn R. Thompson) 16 | ee ae 38} 79 '. 337 Willard Presley ..... ~ We + e | 81 7 gt i : a Francis H. Cotton...... a hs | 784 SI Wiese 85 oo Pecnetetl Gs Clan ws 9K 13 o | 7 i Sr 80. | ar Serson S. Clarke ...... 1 + 7, 72 | oe il 96 1 405 Martin J. Clarke....... 15 - A Z| Variety of Exhibits— : RW ceeds tnccs Gotha Seacarcs 20/19 | 19] 15] 17 | 10] 14] of 15 | 12 | 12 CRT ME ie oes ett cctaecdeneoes 25 | 25 | 19 | 18/ 15} 18] 17 | 20 | 18} 10 ° Quality of Exhibits— RAW: tscsent roar nccee ube os 20/17 119 | 17115115] 14] o | 14 | 13 | 16 Canned. 23 tan seig knee 25 | 23 | 244] 18 | 20 | 22 24, 20/19] oO 2 Arrangement: .csc.ccgeaves 5 4, 44] 4134 3 : ° | 4 2 2 ; | 4 Decoration: wo. cicapeenas a 5 4a Bll Bl) SSE |) SO sen ye Ue 0 | i 100 | 923] 89 | 75 | 733] 68 | 73° 443 742 57 | 30 30