226 



EXPERIMENT STATION— BULLETINS. 



sown broadcast and thoroughly worked into the soil. It would not havu 

 injured the vines at least. The increase over the yield where no fertilizer , 

 was applied would hardly warrant the purchase of commercial fertilizers, 

 other conditions being favorable. 



Table No. 4 gives the results where potatoes were planted in furrows by 

 hand. In plat No. 1 the potatoes were cut to three eyes and one piece 

 placed in each hill. The seed was covered with about two inches of dirt, 

 and Mapes' Potato Fertilizer was applied on the hills at the rate of 400 lbs. 

 per acre. The hills were then covered with two inches more of dirt, making 

 about four inches of earth over the seed. In plat No. 3 the potatoes were 

 cut the same as in the first plat, and seed rolled in plaster, taking up all 

 that would adhere. In plat No. 2 the same conditions prevailed, except 

 there was no fertilizer. 



In the notes taken during the season, frequent mention was made of the 

 increased vigor of growth where plaster and potato fertilizer were used. In 

 the yield there is a slight increase in favor of the potato fertilizer, but not 

 enough to warrant the extra expense incurred in its purchase and applica- 

 tion. Such an experiment must be continued for a series of years to obtain 

 reliable data. 



The yield of the potato crop was not large, owing to severe dry weather 

 before the potatoes had matured. The grow«th during the fore part of the 

 season was remarkable, but later, by lack of rain, the yield was materially 

 lessened. In quality the tubers were very good and entirely free from rot. 

 Some of the varieties were affected with scab, but not so badly as in some 

 former years. It attacked the potatoes worse where the ground was richest 

 and inclined to be heavy. The potatoes in the more tenacious soils and in 

 the low places were most affected. 



Table No. 3. — Potatoes. Effect of fertilizers. 



