Irish potato variety tests

              NH7 MEXICO CCLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC AR$$,''-.;.",''."' v"i '.•  .
AND AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONy^.,->>---'*' "   '• --;.'. *'-^
Press Bulletin 1001 t~r> ~~. \
\ '" "•'   J':':'5 1
- IRISH POTATO VARIETY TESTS % ,
Three varieties of Irish potatoes which are comparatively ne^ftic^Bji^oxiSd0*
can now be recommended to potato growers of the state as the result .of recent
experiments at State College.   "These aro Pontiac, White Rose, and Katahdin.
Hitherto, Irish Cobbler,  Bliss Triumph, and Red McClure or Peachblow have
been considered standard varieties for tho  state, with Red McClure predominant in
the northern areas and higher altitudes, and the Irish Cobbler and Bliss Triumph
most popular in the irrigated valleys.    Recently, however,  horticulturists throughout the country have developed many new varieties which are reported to be superior
in- yielding ability and market quality to the  older standard varieties, as well as
more disease and insect tolerant.    No attempt has been made to test every variety
that has been developed but those which by their descriptions appeared to be adapted to Now Mexico conditions have been grown and compared with Irish Cobbler.    A
summary of the results of tests secured over a period of years is shown in table 1,
TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF VARIETY TESTS
Variety
1941
1942
1943
1944
Average
over
Irish Cobbler
195
199
245
247
221"
79
VJhite Rose
240
414
292
315
84
Katahdin ,
244
330
328
300
87
Pontiac
284
297
367
31$
316
81
Kasota
___
265
265
79
*These data were computed from the yields obtained from plots which were
usually 3 rows 150 feet long.
It will be noted from the data in table 1 that the varieties Pontiac, White
Rose, and Katahdin havo consistently out yielded the Irish CobbLor when grown_for_
a spring crop in southern Nov; Moxico.    The varieties Kasota and Chippewa appear
promising but further trials must bo conducted before definite recommendations
can be made.    Brief descriptions of those five varieties followt
Pontiac.—This variety was developed by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment
Station as the rosult of a cross between Katahdin and Bliss Triumph,    It is a red-
skinned, white-fleshed potato with eyes of medium depth.    Under New Moxico conditions tho small and medium-sized tubers arc nearly round while the larger onos
tend to be oblong in shap.    Although it  is considered a late maturing variety in
other states, when planted for the spring crop in southern Nov: Mexico it maturos