DEPAET3IENT KEPORTS. 137 



14th, once in a row, ;xnd hoed again. Four pounds of Paris green in two diff- 

 erent applications, about three weelis apart, used with water and a sprinkler, 

 kept the field almost entirely clear of the Colorado Potato Beetle. On August 

 10th tlie first potatoes were dug, and the quality was found to be poor, the 

 potatoes small. The division of the five acres was about as follows : One acre 

 Early Rose ; about one and three-quarter acres Extra Early Vermont ; one- 

 quarter acre of small plats of Brownell's Beauty, Compton's Surprise, and 

 Snowflake ; two acres, or the remainder, to Peachblows. The Extra Early Ver- 

 mont did the best of the early varieties, and the Brownell's Beauty, ajDparently, 

 of the later ones. 



A blight struck the tops al)out August 1st, and this with the drouth (which, 

 was very severe), threatened to destroy the crop entirely. August 10th the 

 Peachblows had just began to set, and it is due to the lateness of frost and pre- 

 valence of warm weather, tliat we have any late potatoes at all. Tlie jwece has 

 yielded about 50 bushels per acre as far as harvested. The Peachblows growing 

 are estimated at $G2 50 per acre. 



Account for the five acres as follows : 



Du. Ck. 



To preparing for crop ^78 21 



compost, 112 loads @ 25c _. 28 00 



planting 2 43 



seed.. 12 97 



cultivation 24 65 



Paris green 2 00 



harvesting 18 14 



Bv potatoes as per inventory. $175 00 



" sold 48 46 



To balance 57 03 



S223 46 $223 46 



Field No. 10, Roots. — We began plowing east and west for roots on June 3d, 

 followed by harrow in the same direction. This field was then cultivated east 

 .and west by wlieel cultivators and immediately crossed north and south. 



On July 17th commenced planing north and south, and after completing the 

 field in this direction crossed it east and west to smooth down the surface. On 

 ivfternoon of July ISth begun sowing the turnip seed (yellow ruta-baga) in drills 

 30 inches apart. The seed was purchased of the Detroit Seed Co., Detroit, 

 Mich., and 25 lbs. were used on the 17 acres. Finished sowing on July 20th. 

 Most of the seed camo w]) very quick, and on August 7th began cultivating 

 them once in a row. The same day distributed Homestead superphosphate on 

 the south side of the field. Besfan hoeing and thinning the roots to ten inches 

 in tlie rows on August 8th and finished on August 17th. The stand of jilants 

 on the field was very even and fine. 



On August 24th began cultivating the second time, twice in a row, and on 

 August 28th finished. September 2d began hoeing the second time and finished 

 ■on September 30th. There is no perceptible difference at this date in the 

 roots which were dressed with superphosphate and those Avhich were not dressed, 

 either as to appearance or size. 



The account of the root crop is this : 



18 



