OUR experiment stations are now under way and we expect them to aid the farmer. There are many things which they might experiment upon, so many, in truth, that the common and practical subjects are likely to be overlooked. I often think that the experimenters study the things which they like best, and not always the things which are the most valuable. I presume, too, that they have more suggestions than they care for or can use; yet I am going to make another. The subject to which I would invite the attention of the stations is exceedingly important, and it seems singular that it has not already occupied the attention of scientists. .

It represents a crop of commanding importance in all parts of the states north, and is a subject upon which every farmer in the land wants more light. If some one could illuminate it, he would be at once considered a benefactor of his race, to be mentioned alongside that other rare individual who can make two blades of grass grow where but one grew before. The potato is an edible tuber, and it grows upon all kinds of soil, and is cultivated in a multitude of ways by several millions of people. Almost every one of these many individuals has some notion of his own in regard to potatoes. Some notions are no doubt better than others, and some worse, but none of them are any too good, and some are not good enough. They all need investigation, and some subjects need it soon. At any rate, the one I am talking about is new and vital to the potato; and the press of the country can do no better thing than to unanimously call attention to it and ask for elucidation.

I suppose that the professors in our experiment stations are at this season trying to find something to experiment about next summer. Certainly it is none too early to begin to think about it. Then why not take up this subject? But there should be some concert of action on the part of all the stations, commensurate with the importance and novelty of the subject. I do not want to presume to plan out work for people so much wiser than myself, but I simply suggest from the attitude of one who has to dig in the soil to get his potatoes. Now, the question I want to propound is this : How shall we cut potatoes for seed ? I know of growers who cut to a single eye, and some who do not cut at all, and some who do as it happens to come handy. Now, how are we to know who is right ? And what better work is there for the experiment stations, considering the number of potatoes grown in every county every year ? I have spent much time ciphering out how much this fractional township of Mill Creek loses every year in planting potatoes which are not cut up fine enough, and I believe the amount is three or four thousand bushels. Then what must be the loss over the whole of this great country ? It is singular, as I said before, that no one has taken this matter up.

Experiments could be so planned that a multitude of tables could be made of the results. I am aware that great skill is required to carry out such experiments as these, but I feel sure that our experimenters are equal to it. Suppose that each experiment station select six plats of ground, all exactly alike in size and kind, and on them plant potatoes in different ways. Let plat x be planted with pieces of one eye, plat 2 with pieces having two eyes, and so on up to five eyes. Then on the sixth plant whole potatoes. Then if accurate measurements of growth were taken every day during the season, and all the potatoes were weighed in the fall, I am sure the experiment would give many figures, and afford great opportunity for discussion. Certainly, much literature would be added to a very important and much neglected subject. R. T. Choke.