358 STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS. 



Table 2. — Comparative yields. 



The numbers given in the preceding tables show that the yield was, in 

 every instance, appreciably in favor of the method of drills. This exper- 

 iment may be regarded as quite conclusive, as each number in the table is 

 an average of four distinct experiments, and therefore the grand totals show 

 the result of 32 comparisons. These experiments were conducted on both 

 clay and sand, the results in both cases favoring drills. The size of each 

 plat was two square rods. 



SHALLOW VS. DEEP CULTURE 



AND THE COMPARATIVE RESULTS OF DIFFERENT DEPTHS OF 



PLANTING. 



BY G. MASSELINK AND W. C. BAGLEY (CLASS OF '95), 1892. 



The objects of the experiment were (1), to test the relative merits of 

 deep and shallow culture, and (2), to secure comparative results of the 

 diflPerent depths of planting. 



The plat on which the experiments were conducted is a sandy loam. 

 The ground slopes gently towards the west, and presented for the exper- 

 iment as nearly uniform conditions as could be obtained. 



The planting was commenced June 11, and was completed June 14. 

 Three varieties of potatoes were used, namely, Burbank's seedling, Lee's 

 Favorite, and Thorburn, in order that the eccentricity of any particular 

 variety might be guarded against as influencing the entire experiment. 



The potatoes were planted at the depth of two, three, four, five and six 

 inches. The cultivation was performed with a " Goodyear " cultivator, set 

 at about one and one-half inches for the shallow culture, and at about five 

 inches for the deep culture. 



There was little difference in time of appearance between those planted 

 two, three, four and five inches deep. In nearly all cases the three and 

 four inch plants were a trifie more advanced than the two and five. 



In ripening, little difference was noted between those planted six and 

 five inches deep, either in point of advancement or in time of ripening. 

 Those planted two and three inches deep were very slightly farther 

 advanced than the others. 



