Vol. XX, Secokd Series. 



ROCHESTER, N. Y., JANUARY, 1859. 



No. 1- 



MANUKES FOE POTATOES. 



In the April number of the Genesee Farmer for 

 1858, we gave the results of some experiments, 

 made by the proprietor of this journal, with several 

 artificial fertilizers on potatoes. It was there shown 

 that though half the ash of potatoes consists of 

 potash, four hundred pounds of unleached wood 

 ashes gave an increase of only five bushels per acre, 

 while 150 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia gave an in- 

 crease of 45 bushels per acre, and 150 lbs. of sul- 

 phate of ammonia and 300 lbs. of superphosphate 

 of lime gave an increase of 84 bushels per acre. 



"We then remarked that these experiments indi- 

 cate that potatoes require, in an eminent degree, 

 ammonia and phosphates, and that therefore Peru- 

 vian guano, which contains about 18 per cent, of 

 aijimonia and 25 per cent, of phosphates, is one of 

 the best artificial manures that can be used for 

 potatoes, and instanced the following fact in con- 

 firmation : 



" In the same field on which the above experi- 

 ments were made, two acres were planted with 

 potatoes, in 1852, without any manure, and two 

 acres with 300 lbs. of Peruvian guano per acre, 

 sown broadcast. The two acres without manure 

 produced 238 bushels, and the two acres dressed 

 with guano produced 410 bushels, or an increase 

 ,of eighty-six iushels ijer acre.'''' 



Since then, the results of some experiments 

 made in Scotland have been published in the 

 Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, which confirm 

 this opinion. 



There were forty-seven experiments in all, but 

 our space prevents allusion to more than the prin- 

 cipal ones. 



Of any single manure, Peruvian guano gives the 

 greatest increase ; and also, as an auxiliary to farm 

 manure, it affords the best result. 



Sulphate of lime (plaster) was used in unusually 

 large quantity. Eight hundred and ninety-six lbs., 

 when used alone, gave an increase of 11^ bushels; 

 and when used with farm manure, it caused a 

 decrease of 9|- bushels, as compared with the plot 



receiving the same quantity of farm manure alone! 

 This is a result we can not account lor. Muriate 

 of potash, used with farm manure, also caused a 

 decrease in the produce. In our own experiments, 

 100 lbs. of plaster, used alone, gave an increase of 

 six bushels per acre over the uumanured plot. 



As more convenient for comparison, we give the 

 main results in tabular form : 



Manures used and quantity per acre. 



No manure 



896 lbs. of sulphate of lime (plaster) 



663 lbs. of superphosphate of lime . . 



876 lbs. of Peruvian guano 



252 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia 



224 lbs. of nitrate of soda .• 



15 loads of farm manure 



15 loads of farm manure and 



896 lbs. of sulphate of lime (plaster) 



15 loads of farm manure and ) 



376 lbs. of Peruvian guano ) 



15 loads of farm manure and ) 



663 lbs. of superphosphate of lime f 



1 5 loads of farm manure and ) 

 252 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia j ' ' 



It is evident that, to raise large crops of potatoes, 

 as of wheat, barley, oats, corn, etc., we require 

 ammonia and phosphates. If these are present, 

 most soils can furnish an abundance of all the other 

 constituents of plants ; and if they can not, there is 

 no natural way of supplying ammonia and phos- 

 phates that will not at the same time supply an ad- 

 equate quantity of every other element required. 

 To get ammonia at a cheap rate, is the grand prob- 

 lem which American farmers have to solve. We 

 know of no better way, at present, than to raise 

 plenty of clover, peas, beans, turnips and other 

 roots, and feed them to stock on the farm, using as 

 much oil-cake and other rich, nitrogenous food, in 

 addition, as they can afford — of course being care- 

 ful to save all the manure. 



