Experimental Work in Dry-Farming 



623 



feet, which was not sufficient to loosen the ground over the entire 

 area. The plots of Learning corn were planted too late for matur- 

 ity, and yields were considerably less than should be expected. 



TABLE LXXXI. 



corn; depth oe plowing test, sulphur sprixc; 

 valley dry-farm, 1915 



All plots were plowed July 30. 



POTATOES 



In 1914 thirteen varieties of potatoes were planted in rows 

 three feet apart, two inches of irrigating water being run in each 

 furrow previous to the planting, except in the plot of Tennessee 

 Early Triumph, which received no irrigation. After the potatoes 

 had emerged, all plots except the Tennessee Early Triumph were 

 again irrigated twice, the total application being about eight inches 

 of water. In addition, on July 2, a flood six inches deep passed 

 over all plots, except the Tennessee Early Triumph. The best 

 yield, 14,620 pounds per acre, was obtained from a plot of Irish 

 Cobbler potatoes. See Table LXXXII. Some plots were exceed- 

 ingly small and data from them are not of much value. Four differ- 

 ent species of blister beetles were very troublesome and were con- 

 trolled by spraying repeatedly with arsenate of lead. 



Eight varieties were planted in 1915. As indicated by Table 

 LXXXII, the most successful plots were planted in February or 

 March ; April, May, and June plantings having been destroyed by 

 drought. Conditions were unfavorable for potato production in 

 1915. Blister beetles again were serious pests. Because of 

 drought the quality of potatoes uniformly was poor. 



