Tillage Experiments with Potatoes. 197 



Bulletin 140, pp. 391, 103 (copies may be had upon application). 

 It may be said, however, that no matter how thoroughly the prep- 

 aration and tillage of the soil, unless a liealthy foliage is maintained, 

 satisfactory results cannot l)e secured. In the trials on tlie Station 

 grounds in 1S97, the gain due apparently to tlie use of Bordeanx 

 mixture was 71 bushels per acre. In some seasons it might be 

 more, in others less, according to the prevalence of the blights. A 

 trial of Bordeaux mixture is earnestlv recommended, but it is 

 desired that no one will refrain from undertaking the tillage experi- 

 ment because he is unprepared or unwilling to use the Bordeaux 

 mixture. Bulletin 156 contains revised instructions for making 

 Bordeaux mixture. 



The best results have been obtained on the Station grounds by com- 

 bining the twice plowing (autumn and early spring) with deep planting, 

 in thoroughly fitted soil : prolonged, frequent, level tillage and spraying 

 with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green. 



It is not expected that each experimenter will be able to follow 

 these suggestions in all their details, but that he will endeavor to 

 secure the conditions described in one or more of the various experi- 

 ments named above as near as the circumstances will permit. 



As to the fertilizers applied, or the character of the seed used, 

 the experimental area should be treated exactly like the rest of the 

 iield. This is not intended to be an experiment with fertilizers, but 

 simply as to methods of culture. (For information relating to 

 work with fertilizers see Circular Ko. 20.) It is recommended that 

 good marketable potatoes be used for seed and cut so that each 

 piece shall be of good size and have one or two strong eyes. 



Care should be exercised in makino- measurements of land or 

 product and in estimating yield per acre, that error shall not vitiate 

 the results obtained. Circular No. 19, giving instructions for esti- 

 mating yields from small areas, if not inclosed herewith, will be 

 sent upon request. 



Blaidvs upon which to report the dates and manner of perform- 

 ing the various parts of the work, and the results obtained, will be 

 furnished to those who undertake the experiment. It is expected 

 that an Experiment Station representative will be able to visit 

 many of the experimenters during the season, to study the condi- 

 tions that prevail and to advise in regard to the treatment of the crop. 



