From a commercial point of view it is essential to secure as small a quantity of chats as possible in a potato crop. To secure this desirable result it is necessary to give sufficient space between the rows and the "sets". The following results from a square pole of ground show that fewer small tubers will be produced by planting at 3 ft. apart than by planting at 2 ft. apart: -

V. "Wake" And "Chat" Experiment - "Myatt's Ashleaf"

Distance every way.

-

Large Tubers.

Small Tubers.

Total Number.

Per cent of Chats.

Per cent of Ware.

Total Weight.

Average per Tuber.

3 ft. apart

822

298

1120

26.6

73.4

140 lb.

2 oz.

2 ft. apart

897

798

1695

47.0

53.0

128 „

1 1/5 ,,

This experiment again is a strong argument in favour of wider planting than usual. Not only is a heavier crop produced at less cost, but the general sample in the 3-ft.-apart plots will be superior to that from the 2-ft.-apart ones.