FARM DEPARTMENT. 363 



The above figures show that deep culture gives the best result both as to 

 total yield, and as to percentage of marketable to unmarketable. This 

 holds true for all the different kinds of soil on the plat. 



In the same tables, it will be found that the potatoes planted 3 inches 

 deep gave the largest yield, and that those planted 5 inches deep gave the 

 largest amount of marketable potatoes. The potatoes planted 2 inches 

 deep gave the smallest amount of marketable potatoes. 



MULCHING VS. CULTIVATION. 



BY E. M. Mcelroy (Clas-sof '93), 1891. 



The object of this experiment was to show the yield of potatoes grown 

 under a mulch, as compared with mulching in the hill, and also with the 

 ordinary method of cultivation. 



The potatoes were planted 33 inches apart each way. The plat was 2^ 

 rods wide and 16 rods long. This was divided lengthwise into 3 divisions, 

 and crosswise into 8 plats, thus making 48 hills in each plat. Different 

 amounts of seeds were used in the different plats, which accounts for the 

 difference in the totals. But the same amount of seed was used for each 

 division in any one plat. All the plats were planted with Burbank's 

 Seedling on June 12 and all the potatoes were planted at a depth of 3 

 inches. 



There was no difference in time of appearance between the unmulched 

 potatoes and those covered with a mulch, while the potatoes planted with 

 straw in the hill did not make their appearance until two days later. 



The quality of the potatoes grown under the mulch was excellent. They 

 were almost entirely free from scab. The unmulched potatoes were badly 

 affected with scab, and although the yield was the heaviest, the quality was 

 inferior. On the division where the straw was placed in the hill, the qual- 

 ity was poor and nearly every potato was affected with scab. 



In comparing the results obtained, we must take into account the differ- 

 ent amounts of work put upon different divisions. If the straw is taken 

 from an exposed stack and is free from seed there is no work upon a 

 mulched plat except planting, mulching and digging. 



The conclusions drawn from this experiment, taking into consideration 

 the cost of production and the quality of the yield, is that a person 

 would be repaid in covering his potatoes with straw, especially if the sea- 

 son is dry. 



