THE POTATO. 



129 



The potato is a potash-loving plant ; but in most South 

 African soils this element of plant food is usually found in 

 sufficient quantities to supply the needs of the crop. 



The experience at the different experiment stations in the 

 Union has been that a combination of kraal manure with 

 mineral fertilisers has given much better results than either 

 alone. The organic matter seems essential for successful 

 potato propagation. 



It will be noted from the following experiments* that 

 complete mineral fertilisers (Plot 16) gave no better result than 

 eight tons of kraal manure per acre by itself. The best yield 

 was obtained from 400 lbs. superphosphate, 400 lbs. of wood 

 ash , and 4 tons kraal manure ; and the next best with kraal 

 manure and superphosphate alone. It would be as well when 



