42 THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



potatoes to the acre and grower B 3 tons to the acre. The matter that is of 

 importance now is: What does it cost each grower to produce 1 ton of potatoes? 

 The reader is referred to Table IX. for this information. 



Table IX. 

 Grower A. Grower B. 



Cost of production per acre . .$201 65 Cost of production $ 75 50 



Yield of 10 tons at $40 400 00 Yield of 4 tons at $40 160 00 



Profit per acre 195 35 Profit per acre 84 50 



Cost per ton 20 46 Cost per ton 18 87 



It will be observed that there is a difference of $129.15 in the cost of production 

 per acre of the two growers ; nevertheless, there is only a difference of $1.59 on the 

 cost per ton. Furthermore, grower A reaps a profit of $195.35 per acre and grower B 

 $84.50; however, it costs grower A $20.46 to produce a ton and grower B $18.87. 

 In other words, grower A obtains a profit of $110.85 over grower B because he gets 

 a yield of 6 tons more per acre than grower B, although it costs him $1.59 more 

 per ton to produce it. Therefore grower A reaps a profit of $110.85 over grower B 

 for $9.54 invested. This undoubtedly is a good investment. It is in this light that 

 growers should consider the cost of production for any crop. 



The following factors illustrate how the profits per acre may be increased under 

 normal conditions: 



(1.) Planting crop in a suitable soil. A well-drained sandy loam is preferable 

 to a heavy clay. 



(2.) Practising careful selection of seed. 



(3.) Growing a standard variety. 



(4.) Treatment of seed for scab and Rhizoctonia. 



(5.) Thorough preparation of the soil. 



(6.) Good cultural methods. 



(7.) Spraying for diseases and insects when necessary. 



(8.) Careful digging and handling of crop. 



(9.) Efficient storage. 



(10.) Careful and thoughtful marketing. 



FIELD-CROP COMPETITIONS. 



Much good work towards the improvement of the potato in British Columbia has 

 been accomplished through field-crop competitions ; these competitions being carried 

 on in connection with the various Farmers' Institutes throughout the Province. 



The announcement of these competitions was first published in a bulletin form 

 containing a brief description of the most approved cultural methods, and copies 

 were distributed to all members of Farmers' Institutes. The competitive spirit led 

 large numbers of farmers to handle their potato-crop along approved lines. Many 

 valuable demonstrations resulted, the more noticeable of which were fertilizing tests, 

 the value of Bordeaux as a spray, and the formalin treatment for scab. The 

 minimum size of a plot entered in the competition was one-half acre. Awards were 

 based on the following field score : 



General appearance, considering: Points. 



(1.) Method of planting, stand of crop 7 



(2.) Vigour of growth 8 



Freedom from blight, scab, and insects 20 



Method and thoroughness of cultivation 20 



Purity of variety 10 



Apparent yield, considering: 



(1.) Number, weight of marketable tubers per hill 15 



(2.) Quality, colour, shape, and smoothness . 10 



(3.) State and uniformity of maturity and freedom from 

 sunburn 10 



Total . . 100 



