POTATOES. 265 



In this case, the tops of the treated row were stronger and more vig- 

 orous every way, and they remained green and fresh for two weeks 

 afterthe lops of the other varieties had died. 



In the summer of 1893, on the farm of Mr. Herman Schultz, which 

 adjoins the experiinent station, four rows in a piece of Late Bur- 

 bank potatoes, growing on very even land, were treated with Bor- 

 deaux mixture. Shortly after the first application, the tops of the 

 treated rows were easily distinguished from those of the rest of the 

 field by their darker green and healthier color. This difference con- 

 tinued to be a verj'' prominent, distinguishing mark until the tops 

 were cut by frost. However, the tops of the whole patch continued 

 to grow until cut by frost, and there was apparently little or no 

 blight present. Yet at the time of harvest, the four treated rows 

 jn'elded ten and a half bushels of merchantable potatoes, and the 

 untreated rows adjoining yielded eight bushels of merchantable 

 potatoes. This is equivalent to a yield of 210 bushels from the 

 treated rows and 160 bushels from the rows not treated, which is 

 equal to an increase of fifty bushels per acre. This increase seemed 

 to be due to the fact that the tubers from the treated rows were of 

 larger size than the others. In the treated rows, the potatoes were 

 all merchantable, while in the untreated rows, there was one-half 

 bushel of small potatoes, that is, an amount equal to ten bushels 

 per acre. 



This line of work has not been carried sufficiently far or exact 

 enough in this state to warrant the statetnent that it will pay to use 

 fungicides, but it is certainly evident that every potato grower, at 

 least in the older portions of the state, should try the experiment in 

 a small way the coming year. 



EXPENSE OF THE WORK. 



Bordeaux mixture, the fungicide recommended, is made by dis- 

 solving six pounds sulphate of copper (blue vitriol) in sixteen gal- 

 lons of water, in a wooden vessel — a barrel is good for this purpose. 

 In another vessel slake four pounds of fresh lime in six gallons of 

 water. When this has cooled it is slowly poured into the sulphate 

 of copper through a burlap cloth v/hich will take out all the lumps 

 of lime. The liquids are thorovighly inixed by stirring, when the 

 whole should be of a sky blue color. It should be prepared a few 

 days before using. 



When used it should be diluted by adding to it about the same 

 bulk of water. It is sometimes used at its full strength, but it is 

 more difficult to apply when so strong, twice as expensive, and 

 gives but little, if any, better results than when diluted as recom- 

 mended. Three spraj'ings are generally sufficient, but in many 

 seasons at least four should be applied, commencing when the tops 

 are about one-half grown in ordinary years, and somewhat earlier if 

 any signs of blight are noted on the plants. Generally, an applica- 

 tion should be made about once in two weeks after the work is 

 commenced. 



The amount used at each application will depend on the size of 

 the tops. For the first, about 100 gallons to the acre will be neces- 



