104 



cultivation given leaves it free from weeds and in better condi- 

 tion for the next year. 



Reply of E. P. Richardson of Lavfrence, loho received a pre- 

 mium for ''■ OMo^^ Potatoes. 



From some experiments with phosphates in growing potatoes 

 this season, I am satisfied that under some conditions, at least, 

 they are profitable, largely increasing the yield and producing 

 remarkably smooth, handsome potatoes, the excellent quality 

 being noticed by all who had them. On different land and un- 

 der different conditions, they might not do as well, and from 

 one or two instances which have come to my notice, I have 

 doubts as to their profitable use again on the same land. 



In one instance on pasture land, soil, yellow loam, that had 

 borne a crop of corn which was manured moderately with sta- 

 ble manure, medium sized. Early Rose, cut once, lengthwise, 

 were planted with Bowker's Hill and Drill and with Bradley's 

 Phosphate. Several rows of such were carefully measured, the 

 potatoes weighed and the average taken, also a row which was 

 planted without fertilizer or manure of any kind. The yield 

 in bushels was at the following rate per acre. 



Large. Small. Total. 

 No Manure, 131 56 187 



Phosphates, 213 74 287 



A gain of 100 bushels per acre, and of marketable pototocs, 

 >2 bushels. None but good sized were classed as large, all 

 ess than medium as small, more going with the small than is 

 justomary, I think. 



I find that the Ohio and Burbank yield better than the Early 

 Rose, and rot much less, the latter being scarcely affected. On 

 a piece of new land, where these varieties were planted, the 

 result was as follows, somewhat less care being taken in meas- 

 uring, the potatoes not being weighed. Very few were small : — 



Ohio. Burbank. Early Rose. 

 No manure, 139 

 Guano, 186 250 



Phosphate (Bradley's), 302 318 236 



