The Questiox Box. 245 



Mr. Cook. — The difference may have been caused by differences 

 in the soil, it being a germ which is more prevalent in some soils 

 and in some seasons than in others. 



Mr. Terry. — The conditions last year were more favorable than 

 this for developing the blight, which as a rule caused the dif- 

 ference in results. With us. Carman Xo. 3 and Rural New 

 Yorker are the two great market varieties. But we never plant 

 any seed until after it has been treated with corrosive sublimate 

 to kill any scab germs. We use two ounces of the sublimate dis- 

 solved in fifteen gallons of water, in which the seed is soaked an 

 hour and a half. There is another preparation known as " For- 

 maline," in which the seed is soaked. I have never used this, 

 however. Be careful in using the sublimate, as it is a deadly 

 poison, and do not allow any live-stock to drink from the vessels 

 used; also be careful and pour the poison water where it will do 

 no harm, nor should you put any treated seed in boxes or barrels 

 which have contained scabby seed. Nor would I plant potatoes 

 in ground where scabby tubers grew the year before. 



To Mr. Van Alstyne. — Will hen manure if used alone when planting 

 potatoes burn the seed? 



Answer.— There is some danger, particularly when the season 

 is dry. The same is true of commercial fertilizers. I would not 

 allow either to come in contact with the cut seed. 



HoTv should vre use phosphates, on top or under potatoes? 



Answer. — My practice has been to broadcast the fertilizer, 

 then, sometimes, to make a second application at the time of the 

 last cultivation. 



Is it safe to use hen manure and wood ashes on potatoes when planting 

 them? 



Answer. — I would not use the ashes; they seem to have a ten- 

 dency to cause scabby tubers; nor would I mix them with hen 

 manure because they will liberate the nitrogen in the manure and 

 allow it to escape in the form of ammonia. I would apply the 

 two separately, unless I were going to plow them under at once, 

 South-Carolina rock would be better to use with the manure, 



