204 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



. all around the edges, and with four waterings we had 2,201 potatoes, that 

 weighed 635 pounds, of a marketable size. The small ones were 1,327 

 in number, and weighed 120 pounds. Per acre it would be 211 bushels of 

 the large and 40 bushels of the small. 



With two waterings before they bloomed, we had 1,060, that weighed 

 374 pounds, of the large; and of the small, 340 weighing 90 pounds. 

 Comparing this with the four waterings, we had a third more in the 

 latter case, and the weight was even more in excess. 



With two waterings, late in the season and after blooming, there were 

 1,678, that weighed 398 pounds, of the large, and 1,224, weighing 77 

 pounds, of the small, or 132 bushels per acre for the large, 25 bushels per 

 acre for the small. 



Without any water, we had 1,110, weighing 240 pounds, of the large, 

 and 1,530 small, weighing 110 pounds. 



Comparing these, we found that by applying the water four times we 

 gained 130 bushels, over the use of no water at all. Applying it twice, 

 early in the season, we gained 50 bushels, and twice later in the season 

 42 bushels. Making the estimate in weight, we had almost three times 

 the yield by using water four times, and almost half as many more by 

 applying it twice, and there was no great difference whether it was twice 

 earlyortwicelate. Itisoften said that it is advisable to wait until tubers 

 begin to form, while others advise early watering; this present season 

 there seemed to be no great difference. Had we used it on late potatoes, 

 it might have been well to have applied it early in the season. 



I wish to give you one or two conclusions in regard to the use of water 

 in irrigating. The first would be, if the soil is not fairly moist at time 

 of sowing the seed or putting out the plants, provide the necessary moist- 

 ure by applying it in furrows, say four feet apart, made with the plow, 

 and give the ground a thorough soaking before planting; (2) never apply 

 water to start the seed after planting. Wait until the plants have three 

 or four leaves. This is of considerable importance, particularly upon 

 clay soil. (3) In applying water, use 500 to 1,000 barrels per acre. We 

 found the past year that 750 barrels, a little less than an inch, gave as an 

 average the best results. Again, avoid running the water over the sur- 

 face of the ground. Apply it through the furrows, and as soon as the 

 water dries in, cultivate thoroughly, thus holding the water. 



