FARM DEPARTMENT. 



365 



KXVERIMENT CONDUCTED BY D. D. McARTHUR (Class of 'W), 1892. 



The object of tliis experiment was to ascertain which is the more profit- 

 able method of raising potatoes, by mulching or by cultivation. The soil 

 was a light sandy loam, and was put in good condition preparatory to plant- 

 ing. The potatoes were quartered and were planted two pieces in a hill, at 

 a depth of about four inches, the hills being thirty-three inches apart each 

 way. Two varieties were used, the Early Ohio and the Rural New Yorker 

 No. 2. 



Plats A and B, each containing seven rows sixteen rods long, were 

 planted with Rural New Yorker No. 2. Amount of seed used 160 lbs., or 

 at the rate of 13 ^ bushels per acre. 



Plats C and D were planted with Early Ohio, each plat containing 

 seven rows sixteen rods long. Amount of seed used was 116 lbs., or at 

 the rate of 9| bushels per acre. 



On June 10, plats B and C were covered with oat straw to a depth of 6 

 to 8 inches. This straw, however, was not free from grain, and oats came 

 up thickly on 75 per cent of the plats. Unfortunately for the experiment, 

 this did much to prevent the proper development of the vines, and this 

 fact should be kept in mind while comparing the results given below. 



Table 10. — Comparative yields. 



EARLY OHIO. 



Table 11. — Table of profits. 



Mulched: 



To plowing, harrowing seed and planting, $12.00: to 2 men and team ISJi 

 hours at STijc, mulching, $7.03; to 1 man fili days at $1.25, digging, $6.8714 



By 132 bu. marketable potatoes at 50c. per bu. 



To balance 



Dr. 



.$25 901/2 



40 09'/^ 

 $66 00 



Cr. 



$66 00 



$66 00 



Cultivated: Dr. Cr. 



To plowing, harrowing seed and planting, $12.00; to man and horse cultivating 

 IV3 days at $1.88, $2.82; to man and horse hilling M day, 94c.; to 1 man 



digging 3 3-10 days at $1.25, $4.13 $19 89 



By 148I4 bu. marketable potatoes at 50c. per bu . $72 12 



To balance 52 23 



$72 12 $72 12 



