435 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 19?4 



extensive application of ' mussel mud,' a deposit highly calcareous from the presence 

 of numerous shells and their remains. 



A set of twelve plots was laid out, each 21 yds. hy 10, and having an area of one- 

 twentieth of an acre. They were laid out in two parallel series with a path 2 yds. wide 

 between adjacent plots and 7 yds. wide between the two series. The variety of 

 potatoes used was Carman No. 1. Sound seed was selected and treated with formalin 

 solution, (1 lb. in 30 gallons of water) for two hours, except where otherwise stated. 

 It was planted at the rate of 20 bushels per acre, i.e., 1 bushel per plot. Soil treatment 

 took place on the 24th and 25th of May. except when the substance was sown with the 

 seed and planting took place on June 5. This gives an interval of only 12 days between 

 the two operations. This might naturally be expected to exert an injurious influence 

 on the crop, although it could hardly vitiate the results from the point of view of 

 scab control. Certain other matters had unfortunately prevented the soil treatment 

 from being carried out earlier as had been intended and it was not thought advisable 

 to defer planting till after the date mentioned. No fertilizer was applied to any of 

 the plots. 



The following are the details of the individual plots: — 



1. Check. Untreated soil planted with untreated very scabby tubers. 



2. 250 lbs. sawdust (i.e., 5,000 lbs. per acre) sown over sets in drills at time of 



planting. 



3. 15 lbs. sulphur (i.e., 300 lbs. per acre) sown like fertilizer during planting. 



4. 12 gallons commercial lime-sulphur solution diluted with water to 40 



gallons and applied to the surface of the soil by sprinkling cart 

 May 24th. 



5. 24' gallons commercial lime-sulphur solution diluted to 120 gallons applied 



similarly, May 24th. 

 G. Check. Sound seed treated two hours with 1 in 1,000 mercuric chloride 



(corrosive sublimate) solution. Soil untreated. 

 7. 50 lbs. chloride of lime, i.e., 1,000 lbs. per acre. Applied May 25th. 



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As chloride of lime is in the form of an exceedingly fine, dry powder, intensely 

 irritating to the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, and also to the eyes, its 

 application proved a somewhat disagreeable operation. It was found most convenient 

 to use buckets, determine by weighing how much they would contain, and then fill 

 them from the barrel. Water was sprinkled over the surface of the chloride in the 

 bucket to prevent the wind from blowing it, and the bucket taken to the plot and 

 mptied out on the ground. More water was at once sprinkled over it, and it was 

 then mixed with soil and spread with a shovel. As soon as all the plots were thus 

 dealt with the chloride was worked into the soil with a oooth-harrow. Very little 

 rain occurred between treating and planting. 



- The crop was raised on September 20th, with the following result: — 



Check Plot G. Yield 1\ bushels. Exceedingly scabby, no clean tubers being 

 found, and many tubers covered with scab. The amount of scab in this plot 

 was taken for a standard of comparison as 100. 



Check Plot 1. Yield Q>\ bushels. Scabbiness about 80. 



Check Plot 11. Yield 7£ bushels. Scabbiness 80. 



Plot 3. Sulphur. Yield 8 bushels. Scabbiness 90 



