FIELD CROPS. 217 



consisting of nitrate of soda, niuiiate of potasli, salt, gypsum, and dis- 

 solved bone were added, potatoes were planted 12 in. apart in 1 and 

 2 eye pieces, quarters, halves, and wholes for each of 12 varieties. 



Early Vermont is reported as the best and Burbank the poorest vari- 

 ety. Whole tubers gave the highest yields. 



In 1895 the Early Maine variety was planted on well-prepared soil in 

 44-inch rows. The fertilizer, where used, consisted of equal parts of 

 sulphate of i)otash and superphosphate. For given areas the seed 

 planted, whether pieces or whole tubers, was at the same distance apart 

 in the row. The yields for the different amount of seed are tabulated. 

 The author concludes that 900 lbs. per acie was the limit of profitable 

 application of fertilizers, and that "it makes no difference whatever 

 whether potatoes are planted wliole or in i)ieces. . . . The result 

 depends entirely upon the fertility of the soil and the character of the 

 season, both of which determine the stand of the crop as a whole, as 

 also the productiveness of each individual i)lant." 



The yields of the 70 varieties tested are tabulated, 18 giving a yield 

 of over 400 bu. per acre, 3 of over 500 bu., and Mills Prize nearly GOO 

 bu. From the data tlie author concludes that "the size of the seed 

 potato has nothing to do with the greater or less number of small pota- 

 toes. It is siu)ply a question of the vigor of the plants, the richness of 

 the soil, and the proi)er condition of the season." 



A test of northern and home gro^wn seed potatoes, C. O. Flagg, 

 J. D. TowAK, and G. M. Tucker {Rhode Islftnd Sta. Bnl. SO, pp. 3-8).— 

 Fourteen varieties of potatoes, of Maine-grown and home-grown seed, 

 were tested during 2 years on a sandy loam soil, manured with com- 

 mercial fertilizers applied on a clover sod. Ten pounds of seed of each 

 variety was used, cut in one case to 150 pieces, in the other to 2-eye 

 sets, and planted 10 in. apart in the row. The vines were sprayed for 

 potato blight. The yields are tabulated. 



In their summary the authors say that of merchantable potatoes 

 the northern-grown seed tubers produced a greater percentage in 11 out 

 of 14 varieties, and a greater yield in 9 out of 14 varieties, the average 

 increase being 17.04 bu. per acre; the home-grown tubers gave a greater 

 yield in 5 out of 14 varieties, the average increase being 20.94 bu. per 

 acre. 



Early potatoes, C. O. Flagg and (r. M. Tucker {Rhode Lsland 

 Sta. Bui. 3(i, pp. f)-27, fi(/s. 13). — The methods of hastening maturity 

 by starting the tubers in pots under glass, and sprouting the thickly 

 planted sets in a cold frame are described, and under the second 

 method the experience of a Khode Island planter is given. In the 

 second method 12 sash 3 by ft. are required for each acre. The 

 cuttings of seed tubers are put into the prepared and fertilized soil of 

 a cold frame from the 15th to the 20th of March, 3 pecks of tubers for 

 each sash. When about to break ground the sets are lifted from their 

 position by a manure fork, separated by hand, and placed 12 in. apart 

 in 30 to 32 inch rows. The average yield has been 95 barrels per acjfi). 



