122 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



known as the Rural New Yorker Trench System. The system 

 derives its name from the fact that it was first used at the trial 

 grounds of the Rural New Yorker, and was advocated by the editor 

 of that paper, Mr. E. S. Carman. 



The system consists essentially in planting the tubers in trenches,, 

 five to seven inches deep and twelve to fifteen inches wide, the 

 bottoms of which are well pulverized ; covering to a depth of about 

 two inches ; then applying any desired amount of fertilizer in the 

 trench ; after which the trenches are filled so that after settling the 

 surface shall be level. 



Now it has been the practice of the writer for several years to 

 plant in furrows, applying fertilizers broadcast on the surface of the 

 ground, for there is little doubt that the old custom of "hilling" 

 potatoes is worse than useless, it is positively injurious to the crop 

 on dry soils It has seemed doubtful, in view of the fact that the 

 roots of the potato extend in all directions, filling the whole space 

 between the rows, whether placing the fertilizer in a trench cnly, 

 could be as rational, or in practice as satisfactory, as the other 

 method. 



In the paper referred to and also in a book recently published,, 

 the statement is made that, -'In every trial made the land laid out 

 in trenches whether with or without fertilizer or manure has largely 

 out-yielded that planted according to the old method of furrows or 

 hills."* 



In an issue of the Rural New Yorker of recent date is a detailed 

 account of a comparison of the two methods as conducted on the 

 grounds of the originator of the "Trench system." From this trial 

 the following conclusions were drawn : 



"There is a difference in the total yield per acre of only one-half 

 bushel (.49) in favor of the trenches, but of tbe marketable potatoes 

 there is a difference of over seventeen bushels per acre in favor of 

 the trenches. 



"The yield of small potatoes (unmarketable) of the furrows is 

 16.79 bushels per acre greater than that of the trenches."! 



The work of this Station planned without the knowledge that 

 similar work was being uudertaken elsewhere, is detailed below : 



* The New Potato Culture, page 35. 



t Rural Xew Yorker, October 14, 1S93, page 6&3. 



