108 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



times the care of the grain is given over for some days, and potatoes 

 are hauled to the station. 



DISCUSSION. 



Question. I would like to inquire if any farmer who keeps an 

 accurate account can tell the cost of a bushel of potatoes — cost per 

 bushel through a series of years? 



Mr. Barnes. I have to say that question is a good deal discussed 

 in our granges. I cannot say to you how faithfully these accounts 

 have been kept, but I think that generally the cost is reckoned at ten 

 cents a bushel, or about that. 



Question. About what proportion of the fertilizer do they estimate 

 is taken out b}' the crop ? 



Mr. Barnes. I do not know anything about it ; I can only give 

 the practice of the shrewd, money-making men ; they keep using 

 commercial fertilizers j^ear after year, and the gain in using them is 

 such that they go right on. 



Question. I would like to know something about whether the 

 potato pests that are so much in our way here infest the region where 

 you are. I speak of the Colorado beetle and the rot. 



Mr. Barnes. I think it is safe to sa}^ that the beetle does not 

 breed but once in our growing season. We use Paris green. We 

 use Paris green when the bugs are small and developing at their most 

 rapid rate — mostly mixed with plaster and sprinkled dr3\ Of course 

 a good deal is put on in water, but I think our best men use it dry. 

 About the rot, I presume our potatoes rot just as yours do. 



Question. Is the application of Paris green universal there? 



Mr. Barnes. Yes ; there are a few people who have tried 

 taking off the beetles with their fingers rather than use the Paris 

 green, but in a little while they get tired of that kind of work and 

 take Paris green. But I do not reckon that the potato beetle is any 

 great injury so long as we know they are coming and make one vigor- 

 ous onslaught upon them. 



Question. Is there any attempt made by the farmers to prevent 

 the destruction b}' rot? 



Mr. Barnes. I do not know of any. Our farmers want to make 

 money and are simply working with an eye to making the shortest 

 cut to it and take the chances. 



Question. I would like to ask if they have any scabb}' potatoes 

 in Aroostook? 



