22 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



cure enough for this trial from a prominent grower in this 

 State, Dr. Jabez Fisher of Fitchburg. Of most varieties 

 we planted 2 rows, each 209 feet long ; but in some cases, 

 where the seed was insufficient, only 1 row was planted. 



The seed was washed and treated with a solution (2 

 ounces to 15 gallons of water) of corrosive sublimate on 

 April 13. The tubers were then i)laced on the earth in 

 a cold frame without glass, where they were allowed to 

 remain until May 1, when they were cut into pieces hav- 

 ing two eyes each, and of as nearly equal size as possible. 

 At this time the tubers had sent out numerous thick o^reen 

 sprouts, which were perhaps about one-eighth to one-fourth 

 of an inch in length. The tubers when cut were rolled in 

 plaster. They were planted on May 5 and 6, the pieces 

 being placed just 1 foot apart in the rows. In those cases 

 where the supply of seed was insufficient to plant a full 

 row, the row was filled out with seed of the Beauty of 

 Hebron, that there might be no vacancies. 



The treatment of the seed with corrosive sublimate solu- 

 tion entirely prevented scab, and the system followed in 

 sprouting the tubers was eminently satisfactory. It should 

 perhaps be stated that when the sun shone hot the tubers 

 were covered with a sheet of thin white cotton cloth. But 

 for this protection it is to be feared that in a cold frame 

 they might get overheated on excessively hot days. 



The land where the test was made was last year in mil- 

 let and soy beans, the rows this year running across the 

 divisions of last season, so that each row of this year is ex- 

 actly comparal)le with ever}^ other. The soil is a medium 

 loam, well adapted to the potato. Fertilizers only were 

 applied, and at the following rates per acre : nitrate of 

 soda, 240 pounds ; dried blood, 100 pounds ; tankage, 240 

 pounds ; plain superphosphate, 400 pounds, and high-grade 

 sulphate of potash, 250 pounds. These materials were 

 mixed and strewn in the furrows before the seed was 

 dropped. All needful operations were seasonably and 

 thoroughly carried out. The season was on the whole 

 favorable, so that the crop suft'ered from no unusual con- 

 ditions. Careful notes were taken throughout the season, 

 covering all peculiarities in growth and development, time 



