EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 227 



MISCELLANEOUS FIELD CROPS. 



HEMP. 



The seed was planted June 4th. The growth was rapid, the staminate plants 

 .were in blossom September 8th and the pistilate ripened their seed early in Octo- 

 ber. Specimen plants measured 11 feet 8 inches, a height seldom obtained in 

 Kentucky. That the natural conditions in this region should be as well, if not 

 better, adapted to hemp culture than those in the southern states does not follow 

 of course from the result of this first test. What is shown is the hardiness of the 

 hemp crop. Doctor A. C. Lane, the State Geologist, in Bulletin No. 186 of this 

 Station, says: 



"As we approach Lake Michigan we get into the belt of the Trenton Limestone 

 and the Cincinnati beds, the very same formations which make famous and fertile 

 the blue grass region of Kentucky." 



No attempt was made to ascertain the yield of seed as a band of goldfinches 

 discovered it as soon as it began to ripen 



FLAX. 



Was planted June 4th, 1902; averaged 3 feet when fully developed; the seed 

 ripened September 8th. The growth of the crop and its condition in the fall 

 showed that this part of the state is well adapted to the growing of flax. 



VEGETABLES AND ROOT CROPS. 

 POTATOES. 



All varieties were planted in 1901 In rows 4 feet apart, 18 inches between hills; 

 one piece with 2 to 4 eyes for each hill. The potatoes were not up on June 8th 

 when the frost occurred. They made a rapid growth which remained unchecked 

 until late in August when the blight, induced by excessive rains, made its appear- 

 ance and continued until the close of the season. The potato bettles were out in 

 full force, coming early and staying late and seemed to increase rather than de- 

 crease with each spraying. An application of Bordeaux mixture with Paris Green 

 was given nearly every week and no sign of early blight could be noticed. The 

 potato bettle "tachinid," described by Professor Pettit in Bulletin No. 186 was 

 entirely absent this season. Not a fly could be found nor a potato bettle covered 

 with eggs. For some unaccountable reason the north side of the field was more 

 affected by late blight and potato bettles. Walter Raleigh promised to be one of 

 the best and most profitable sorts for this latitude, especially when considering 

 its behavior and habit of growth. 



The potatoes are medium to large, often exceeding two pounds for single speci- 

 mens, none of which were found to be hollow. As could be expected, many 

 varieties forced the tubers out of the ground, the plowing not having been sufla- 

 ciently deep for successful potato culture. To this, although having the largest 

 tubers. Sir Walter Raleigh was an exception. The vines are strong, dark green, 

 2 to 21^ feet long, shading the ground just sufficiently and stljl enough spreading 

 for the'proper ripening of the crop. The shape is what may be termed the proper 

 market shape, the same being found in Carman No. 3 and to a considerable extent 

 in Delaware. While all three varieties have perfect specimens, by far the largest 

 percentage is represented in Sir Walter Raleigh. 



The Delaware, of all the varieties tested, is the most desirable. The vines are 

 light green, medium strong, 2% feet long, very bushy and completely covering 

 the hills. Skin about the same as that of Sir Walter Raleigh, perhaps a shade 

 whiter, slightly more netted, and the eyes are a trifle more sunken. The flesh 

 of both varieties is white, fine grained and quite solid. 



