189n.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 19 



Potato Experiments. 



Objects. 



1. To determine whether the muriate or the sulphate 

 of potash should be used as a source of potash in potato 

 fertilizers. 



2. To determine whether fertilizers for this crop should 

 be applied broadcast and harrowed in or put into the drill. 



Results. 



1. Eight experiments, comparing the sulphate with the 

 muriate of potash, have given an average of 22.1 bushela 

 of merchantable tubers per acre more where the sulphate 

 was the source of potash. 



2. The eating quality of the tubers raised when the 

 sulphate has been the source of potash has generally been 

 better than when the muriate was used. 



3. Analyses have generally shown that the tubers raised 

 on the sulphate have contained less water and more starch 

 than those raised on the muriate. When this has not been 

 the case, it is believed to have been because the tubers 

 had not properly ripened, owing to the premature death 

 of the tops on account of blight. 



4. There has been little difference in the appearance of 

 the tubers raised on the two fertilizers, but the advantage 

 is slightly with the muriate in this respect. 



5. The number of bushels per acre in favor of the sul- 

 phate has ranged from 4.8 to 82.5 of merchantable tubers. 

 In only one out of the eight experiments has the muriate 

 excelled the sulphate ; the difference on total yield was 

 then only 28 pounds per acre. 



6. The fertilizer in the drill has generally given larger 

 crops than broadcast application. This has been the case 

 in six out of the eight experiments, the range being from 

 12.5 bushels to 54 bushels of merchantable tubers per acre 

 in favor of drill application. In the two experiments where 

 broadcast application gave the larger crops, it is believed 

 that the fact was due to natural inequality in the soil. 



