134 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The average results from manure used in the different ways was 84.2 bush- 

 els in favor of the use of manure, when all the varieties were considered, 

 but with the two varieties that were used in all the plots considered, 

 the results show 73 bushels gained in yield by the use of manure. 



This, even at the present low price of potatoes, will well repay for the 

 cost of the manure, and as fully one half of the fertilizing value of the 

 manure is left in the soil to feed future crops, it becomes doubly profitable. 



As will be noticed, the fertilizers were used in duplicate, half being 

 worked into the soil under the seed, and the balance scattered along the 

 row after the tubers were covered. 



The results show quite a decided gain from those placed under the seed, 

 but they might have been reversed had there been rains to dissolve and 

 carry down the plant food placed above the seed. 



Comparing the yield of Type No. 2 and O. K. Mammoth on the unfertil- 

 ized, and on the plots enriched with fertilizer, we find a gain of 60.5 

 bushels per acre from the use of fertilizers. This gain seemed very reg- 

 ular throughout, as in the first eight plots the gain was 32.7 bushels, 

 counting all varieties. In the second series of twelve plots it was 46.7 

 bushels. 



Wood ashes seemed to have no fertilizing value, but, as potash sulphate 

 gave a gain of more than 75 bushels per acre over an adjoining unfertil- 

 ized ijlot, it would seem that there was some local irregularity of the soil. 



While it can readily be shown that the fertilizers were used with profit, 

 it is difiicult to say which of the chemicals were most necessary. The 

 nitrogen perhaps had the least effect, but the potash and ground bone 

 whether alone or together seemed to increase the yield. 



Of the commercial mixtures the Odorless phosphate made the best show- 

 ing. Although it was not apparent, the soil may have been naturally very 

 rich in the plot to which it was applied, and this may in part account for 

 the large yield. 



The Homestead superphosphate was also a profitable one to apply, the 

 average yield being 202.3 bushels, which was somewhat higher than was 

 secured from the chemical mixtures. 



SUMMARY. 



1. The seed end is as good, if not better, than any other part of the 

 potato for planting, and as a rule produces fewer small tubers. 



2. As a rule, medium-size potatoes cut into halves lengthwise, using at 

 the rate of 13 to 15 bushels of seed to acre, will produce best net results, 

 planted one and a half or two teet apart. 



3. If smaller seed is used, the eyes should be 15 inches apart, and pieces 

 containing two or three eyes, about 18 inches. At distances over 2| feet 

 the number of hills is so much decreased that the yield is lessened. 



4. When potatoes are cheap, it does not pay to use small potatoes as 

 seed, but when seed potatoes are high, tubers the size of hens' eggs may be 

 used for one year without greatly decreasing the yield. 



5. Even on fairly rich soil, manure or fertilizers can be used with profit. 

 When manure can not be obtained without hauling two or three miles, 500 

 pounds of mixed chemicals or of some good brand of commercial fertilizer 

 will be cheaper to use, and will be a profitable investment. 



L. R. TAFT. 



