128 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



selection of soil. Results and conclusions of a similar experiment are 

 given from Bulletin 31 of the station (E. S. R., 8, p. 41). 



Fertilizer formulas and a rotation system are reprinted with some 

 modifications from former bulletins (E. S. R., 6, p. 898). 



Economy in using fertilizers for raising potatoes, L. L. Van 

 Slyke (New York State Sta. Bui 112, n. ser., pp. 296-308).— -In 1895 

 fertilizers were applied to 22 plats at the rate of 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. per 

 acre. Two plats were fertilized at the rate of 1,500 lbs. per acre, and 

 one plat was left unfertilized. A second crop was grown on the same 

 ground the next season to ascertain the benefit it would derive from 

 the fertilizer applied the year before. 



The 1,000 lbs. application increased the crop of marketable potatoes 

 over the crop of the unfertilized plat 48.4 bu. per acre in 1895 and 39.6 

 bu. in 1896, while the 2,000 lbs. application increased the marketable 

 yield over the foregoing 4.4 bu. in 1895 and 14.1 bu. in 1896. 



Each 1,000 lbs. of fertilizer added to the soil an average of 36.4 lbs. 

 nitrogen, 76.9 lbs. available phosphoric acid, and 90.6 lbs. potash. 

 Adding these amounts to those already known to be in the soil and 

 deducting what was removed by the crops gave 57 lbs. nitrogen, 151.1 

 lbs. phosphoric acid, and 153 lbs. potash left unused where 2,000 lbs. 

 fertilizer was applied. Phosphoric acid is probably applied often in 

 •uselessly large quantities in potato growing. 



The use of over 1,000 lbs. fertilizer per acre was attended with loss 

 as compared with the use of 1,000 lbs. Tabulated statements give 

 results in detail. 



Potatoes ; variety tests in 1896 ; potato implements, S. B. 

 Green (Minnesota Sta. Bui. 52, pp. 119-440, figs. 11). — The results of 

 variety tests are tabulated and a number of varieties described. 

 Methods of treatment against blight and scab are given. The author 

 considers the place where the seed stock was grown, the condition of 

 the seed stock when planted, and the effects of scab and blight as 

 important factors in comparing the results of yearly yields. 



One lot of potatoes was planted May 8-9, and on July 14 15 hills of 

 each variety were dug of the kinds that were then large enough for 

 marketing. Among these Burpee Extra Early, Vaughan, and Ohio, Jr., 

 yielded best. Bovee, Good News, and Polaris were the best yielding 

 of the varieties of a marketable size July 28. Rose No. 9, a medium 

 early variety, produced the heaviest yield, 510 bu. per acre. 



Illustrated descriptions of potato cutters, planters, and sorters are 

 given. 



Seedling canes, G. S. Jenman and J. B. Harrison (Rpt. Agr. 

 Work in the Botanical Gardens of British Guiana for the years 1893, 

 1894, and 1895, pp. 9-127). — The work comprises the growing and test- 

 ing of seedling sugar canes, the testing of old varieties, and manurial 

 experiments. The effects of cane diseases are discussed. Analyses of 

 cacao and other crops are given in tables. 



