34 New Hampshire Experiment Station [Bulletin 239 



different localities and even with different farms in the same lo- 

 cality. These factors should be so combined as to give the most 

 profitable returns. One farm on a good soil may be able to 

 utilize 2,000 pounds of fertilizer while on another 10 tons of manure 

 with 1,500 pounds of fertilizer might be the better practice. The 

 amount of seed will vary with cost, size, soil and fertility. These 

 and the other factors should be considered in their relation to po- 

 ta.oes and to the other enterprises on the farm. 



It is becoming more and more difficult to justify hand methods. 

 Where the area is small, machinerj^ is too expensive. Only where 

 family labor cannot otherwise be employed, and the yields obtained 

 are exceptionally high, may this method be recommended. 



On the more efficient farms of the state there is no question 

 that, with labor requirements and m.aterial costs comparable with 

 those in Maine, with yields as good as is common there, and with 

 labor and horses available when potatoes require attention, the 

 crop can be produced to advantage here. 



Summary 



1. Potatoes were shipped in from outside New Hampshire in 1925 

 equal to the production on 1,000 acres at a yield of 300 bushels 

 per acre. 



2. A personal survey in 1926 and 1927 was made at the farms of 

 nearly 200 potato growers throughout the state to obtain data 

 on costs of growing potatoes, labor and material requirements, 

 and methods. This number included practically all of the com- 

 mercial growers. In addition, 12 growers kept detailed labor 

 records on potatoes for 1927. 



3. In the potato growing sections of the state the highest labor 

 requirements per acre were found in Coos County. 



4. Where potato machinery was used savings in labor of three to 

 five days per acre were possible. 



5. All special potato machinery was economically possible on 

 areas as small as 3.8 acres. 



6. Area in potatoes was one of the most important factors influen- 

 cing the amount of labor required. Increases in yield as size 

 increased were also consistent. 



7. Within the limits of this survey land values have little 

 influence on the various cost factors. Types of soil, however, 

 are undoubtedly associated with easy cultural practices. 



8. The data indicate that Coos County is producing potatoes as a 

 side line rather than as a major enterprise. Forty-five per 

 cent, of its very suitable land is not yet used for potatoes as 

 compared with 20 per cent, of its fair land. On the other hand, 

 in Rockingham County 16 and 12 per cent, respectively for the 

 same soils are not yet used. 



9. Yields did not favor applying even large amounts of fertilizer 

 in two applications, nor do amounts much over a ton per acre 

 seem warranted. 



