PROFITABLE FARMING. 55 



previously quoted ; the effects of the manurial 

 treatment were invariably most profitable. 



It must not be overlooked that alkaline 

 manures predispose the tubers to attacks of 

 potato " scab," therefore it is not advisable to 

 apply lime or basic slag direct if a clean healthy 

 crop is desired. 



Moreover, as the result of experiments con- 

 ducted by the West of Scotland Agricultural 

 College, reported in Bulletin No. 55, 1911, Pro- 

 fessor (now Sir) R. Patrick Wright states : 

 " On the potato crop the effect of liming was 

 invariably injurious, and caused a diminution 

 of the crop, whether applied in large or in such 

 a small quantity as 5 cwts. per acre. If lime is 

 applied at all it should be put on the soil as 

 many years before the potato crop is to be 

 grown as the rotation admits/ * 



The average yield of potatoes in Great 

 Britain during the ten years 1901-1910, accord- 

 ing to the Government returns, has been 5 tons, 

 17 cwt. per acre. The average of the trials 

 quoted by adopting suitable methods of manur- 

 ing has been 10 tons, 4 cwt., or an increase of 

 no less than 4 tons, 7 cwt. per acre, equivalent 

 to 74 per cent. This shows that it would be 

 possible to obtain as large a crop from about 

 12 acres as it now requires 20 acres to produce 

 at the present average. 



On rich black soil or peaty land it would be 

 advisable to reduce the quantity of farm-yard 

 manure. 



