FIELD CROPS. 43 



deep in the light (but not direct sunlight) to quicken its growth 

 when planted. A one-hour immersion in corrosive sublimate solu- 

 tion suffices to prevent scab. Spraying against blight gives various 

 results, probably due to different forms of the disease. Thorough cul- 

 tivation produces vigorous growth, thus giving resistance to blight. 



Variety tests. — American Wonder, Carman Nos. 1 and 3, Early 

 Norther, Early Harvest, Rural New Yorker No. 2, Sir William, and 

 Wise are recommended for general cultivation. 



Experiments with fertilizers. — Superphosphates proved profitable, the 

 cost per bushel of increase being 5 to 6 cts. Dissolved boneblack 

 and acid phosphate were of about equal efficiency. Slag phosphate 

 gave lower average results than the other forms. Wheat bran was 

 preferable to linseed meal. Nitrate of soda and muriate of potash 

 when used singly gave small increase. Superphosphate, nitrate of soda 

 and muriate of potash gave best results when used in combination, the 

 increase being nearly in proportion to the quantity used up to 1,100 lbs. 

 per acre. 



Experiments with potatoes, B. 13. Halsted (Xar Jersey Stas. Bui. 

 120, pp. 7-10, figs. 3). — Tests were made of the value of the different 

 methods of cutting the seed, of different depths of planting, and of 

 irrigating. Three varieties of potatoes were used in each experiment. 

 The results are given in tabular form. 



For testing the effect of depth of planting, seed was planted at the 

 depths of 4, 6, and 8 in. The Gin. planting gave somewhat the largest 

 yield and the 8-in. planting the next largest. The author thinks, how- 

 ever, that the increased yield is overbalanced by the greater cost of 

 planting and harvesting when the depth is over 4 in. The yield of pota- 

 toes was practically the same on irrigated and unirrigated plats, but 

 the percentage of scabbed potatoes was greater on the former. 



To determine the effect of different methods of cutting the seed, one 

 plat was planted with cuttings from the bud end of potatoes, one with 

 cuttings from the stem end, and one with the middle pieces. The 

 relative yield of potatoes cut by the different methods is given in the 

 following table: 



Yields of potatoes from different cuttings. 



Field experiments on hay, pasture, potatoes, swedes, and man- 

 gels, D. A. Gilchrist and P. H. Foulkes (Jour. Univ. Extension Col., 

 Reading [England], pp. 3-32). — These experiments (mainly fertilizer 

 trials) are carried on in different shires and are to extend over a period 

 of 5 years. The results obtained during the season of 1895 are tabulated 

 and chemical analyses of the fertilizers and the soils are given. 



