246 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



nitrogen is also largely in excess of what the crop takes up, 

 but this does not accumulate. Rainfall in inches : 



May to October, 1881, 13| in., yield 482 bu. per acre. 

 May to October, 1882, 12 in., yield 397 bu. per acre. 

 May to October, 1883, 13 in., yield 401 bu. per acre. 

 May to October, 1884, 9 in., yield 222 bu. per acre. 



In 1881 the rainfall was better distributed over the sea- 

 son than in 1883." 



In preparing the land, all debris and rubbish should be 

 removed. The plowing should be deep and thorough, 

 so there will be no difficulty for the plants to find moisture. 

 Thorough plowing will partly compensate for a lack of 

 fertilizer. 



If the field is to be irrigated (and this should be done 

 where it is possible), it may be thrown up in beds wide 

 enough to hold from two to ten rows. The trenches 

 between the rows are to guide the water. During a very 

 wet season, these trenches of about nine inches in depth 

 are excellent for drainage, as they keep the water from 

 standing on the land. By this method the plants are fed 

 from the bottom, and keep sending their roots downward 

 to the stratum of moisture. Plate XII shows deep furrow 

 in left foreground. 



Fertilizer for potatoes, 



The following fertilizer ingredients should be used : 

 ammonia, 5 per cent; available phosphoric acid, 6 per 

 cent ; potash, 9 per cent. Use from 800 to 1200 pounds 

 of the above formula. When potatoes sell for a high price 

 and the land is near market, it will be found profitable 

 to use as much as 2000 pounds. 



