442 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



as shown in the table below, the slight increased yield of the spring planted 

 potatoes may be due to the weakening of the fall planted seed, this is rather 

 likely to be due to the extra care which in ordinary field practice could not be 

 given to spring planted seed, and for that matter would be practically impossible 

 whenever the seed potatoes are cut. 



While the total yield of the unsprayed potatoes is slightly greater than that 

 of the potatoes which were sprayed against blight, it would be neither safe nor 

 fair to conclude that during wet seasons such spraying is a damage to the crop. 

 It is true that Bordeaux mixture is apt to damage the foliage during wet and 

 cold weather, but it is equally true that the damage at such times can "be averted 

 by adding a little more lime to the mixture. This extra precaution was taken, 

 and though the results were negative or apparently so in the case of potatoes, 

 it proved highly beneficial in the case of plum and cherry trees. While during 

 a season as wet as the past, the persistent spraying of potatoes might prove effi- 

 cient, it is doubtful whether it would prove to be profitable. The advantage of 

 level over hill culture is best illustrated in the present results. Hill culture 

 during wet seasons would likely give best results on soil insufficiently drained, 

 hence poorly adapted for potatoes. On natural potato ground there should be no 

 question about the superiority of level culture whether the season is wet or dry. 

 As above stated, one-half of the plots was planted November 1, 1902. The other 

 half was planted May 29, 1903. The varieties used were Norther and Pingree, 

 two early varieties. Rose of Erin and Wonder of the World, two medium late, 

 and Carman No. o and Sir Walter Raleigh, two late varieties. The vines of the 

 early varieties were dead August 17 and the potatoes were then fit for digging. 

 The vines of the medium late varieties were dead August 28 and those of the 

 late varieties September 30. In all varieties, blight materially hastened the dying 

 of the vines. Of potatoes dug August 28 and 29, quite a percentage rotted sub- 

 sequently, but practically no further loss was sustained with the balance by har- 

 vesting the potatoes between October 14 and 20. The following table gives the 

 date of sprouting and blossoming, the date of sprouting being the time when the 

 rows could be distinguished. 



The frost of June 12 killed back the tops of all fall planted varieties and those 

 of the spring planted Pingree variety. While the fall planted rows were all 

 green again June 14, the rows of the spring planted Pingree variety had only 

 partially recovered June 17. 



All varieties were sprayed June 27 and 29, July 7, 9 and 14. 



