18 



Cultivated once, horse-hoed once, and, early in July, spent about an 

 hour pulling the few weeds which had escaped the cultivator and horse- 

 hoe. Dusted with plaster and Paris green once. Sept. 4th, your com- 

 mittee selected, dug and weighed two average rods, one where the 

 cornstalks and fertilizer were used, and one where the Bradley Fertil- 

 izer alone was applied. The former yielded 62 lbs., the latter, 84 lbs. 

 of sound potatoes. I offer no explanation of the fact that the corn stalks 

 were apparently worse than useless ; but I am convinced that the results 

 would have been very different in an ordinary or dry season.. The aver- 

 age of the two rods is 73 lbs. which would indicate a yield of 194f 

 bushels to the acre. The crop was not more than half what it would 

 have been if it had been planted a month earlier, or if the blight had 

 held off a fortnight longer ; but the conditions which cut short the crop 

 will proportionately enhance the value of both market and planting 

 potatoes. The following is my estimate of the cost and value of the 

 crop : 



Potato crop in acct. with John C. Dillon, Dr. 



Rent of land (assessed value $45 per acre), 



2 bushels rye, 



500 lbs. Bradley's Complete Potato Manure. 



Plaster and Paris green. 



Seed, 



Plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting. 



Total cost of crop, 



Cr. 

 By 971 bushels at $1 00 

 Deduct cost, 



Profit on half acre, $62 33 



Considering the season, the margin of profit on this crop may be 

 regarded as quite satisfactory ; but in justice to the Bradley Fertilizer 

 Company, 1 think it proper to add that for specimens of my crops I have 

 this year received premiums amounting to $41. Some of these crops 

 were raised on the Bradley Fertilizers alone, and some on the fertilizers 

 in connection with barn manure : but, in every case, the Bradley Fertil- 

 izers are entitled to the credit for my having premium crops instead of 

 poor or medium ones. Respectfully submitted, 



Amherst, Mass., Oct. 21, 1897. John C. Dillon. 



