Barn and Field Experiments in 1917. 25 



The field was plowed shortly after cutting the grass in 1916. 

 Early in the spring of 1917 the 97 plots required to carry on this 

 experiment were surveyed, each plot being 1 rod wide by 4 rods 

 long, or one-fortieth of an acre in area. The ingredients for the 

 several fertilizer mixtures were weighed and thoroughly mixed 

 by hand. To insure even distribution each lot and plot were 

 subdivided into fourths for the application of the fertilizer. 



SERIES A. POTATO PLOTS. H-43. 



In preparing these plots for planting, furrows were made 33 

 inches apart, thus giving 6 rows per plot. The fertilizer was 

 distributed in these furrows on May 16 and planting was com- 

 pleted the same day. The seed used was of the Norcross 

 variety. The pathways, running lengthwise, were also planted 

 and the plants allowed to grow throughout the season. By so 

 doing the undesirable influence of marginal plants was, to a large 

 exten, overcome. The pathways, running crosswise, were kept 

 open. The plots were well cultivated and the plants thoroughly 

 sprayed with bordeaux mixture and, nothwithstanding the preva- 

 lence of late blight throughout xAroostook County, hardly a trace 

 of this disease could be found on the vines. 



The variation in vine color, due to the differences in fer- 

 tilizer mixtures, on these plots was very striking, ranging from 

 a very light to an extremely dark green. The vines were green 

 and vigorous until killed by frost. 



The plots were harvested on September 22 and 24. The 

 tubers were clean and free from rot. The yields are given in 

 the table on page 26. 



SERIES B. OAT PLOTS. 51-88. 



Fertilizer was applied broadcast on these plots May 21 and 

 planting completed the same day. Maine 340 oats were sown 

 at the rate of 14 pecks per acre and a mixture of equal parts of 

 Red and Alsike clover seeded at the rate of 12 pounds per acre. 

 The stand of both oats and clover was excellent, but the exces- 

 sive rainfall, coming at the time when the oat seedlings were 

 about 2 inches high, gave them a setback from which they did 

 not recover during the season. 



The plots were harvested on August 31. Each plot was 

 threshed separately and record made of the yield in both grain 

 and straw. The yields were very uneven, due to the uneven 

 stand. They are here included merely as a matter of record 

 and not for any immediate consideration. 



