57 



A. Insuring the most abundant crop by: 



a. A Proper Seed Bed. The related study here would involve 



knowledge of : 



(a) Conditions of soil, air, texture, temperature and 

 moisture most favorable to the growth of the potato 

 plant, including methods of reducing an undesirable 

 amount of " free " water, of avoiding too great dilu- 

 tion of plant food, and of securing a desirable amount 

 of " film " water. 



(b) Methods of preparing the seed bed, including the com- 

 parative advantages of fall and spring plowing, and 

 the best treatment of the land in the spring after 

 plowing and prior to planting. 



b. Proper Fertilizing. The related study here would include 



knowledge of : 



(a) Chemical composition of the potato plant, its osmotic 



and digestive processes, and the quantity of available 

 fertilizing materials it is capable of assimilating. 



(b) Complete fertilizers for the production of potatoes, in- 



cluding analyses of standard fertilizers, and the 

 plant-food values for potato growing of chemicals and 

 mixtures offered for purchase. 



(c) Comparative desirability of muriate and sulphate of 



potash for producing a crop to be disposed of in an 

 immature state as new potatoes, or for producing a 

 crop of late potatoes to be disposed of for winter 

 use ; and the extent to which the " mealy " character 

 of the mature crop should be the determining factor 

 in choosing between these two kinds of potash. 



(d) Clover sod as a factor in determining the proportion of 



nitrogen to be supplied. 



(e) Best formula for a complete fertilizer for this particular 



crop, taking into account the potato plant, the previous 

 crops and their fertilizer treatment in the system of 

 crop rotation followed on the home farm, the present 

 soil conditions arid the purpose of the crop. 

 (/) Most liberal amount of fertilizer warranted for use in 

 growing this particular crop, in view of the known 

 condition of the land and the assimilative powers of 

 the potato plant; and the saving in cost by home mix- 

 ing of the supply to be used. 



c. Using the Best Seed. The related study here would include 



knowledge of : 



