Potatoes 1383 



Tn many cases, from an economic standpoint, potash may be left 

 out or reduced to the minimum. I would pay no more for 

 potash in the sulphate form for potatoes than for the muriate. In 

 spite of the contention that chlorine in the latter will give the 

 tubers a strong flavor, all tests fail to show any difference, even 

 when an excessive quantity is used. The amount of fertilizer per 

 acre will depend on the condition of the soil, usually not less than 

 500 pounds in combination with manure, or on very fertile soil, 

 or with a clover sod. When these are lacking', 1,000 pounds seems 

 to be the most profitable amount. True, many use as high as 2,000 

 pounds and claim it pays. Professor Sirrine has made exhaustive 

 tests on Long Island soils, extending over a period of years, with 

 the following result with potatoes at 50 cents per bushel. Had 

 the price been higher the larger quantity might have paid. 







Increased y 



ield 





Fertilizer 



Cost 



per acre 





Money gain 



500 lbs. 



$ 6.25 



23.3 bu. 





$ 5.40 



1000 lbs. 



12.50 



44.3 bu. 





10.60 



1500 lbs. 



18.75 



55.4 bu. 





8.07 



2000 lbs. 



25.00 



61.4 bu. 





5.70 



My own practice has been, when using only 500 pounds, to 

 apply it all in the drill ; with a larger quantity, the balance broad- 

 cast, because the feeding roots extend all through the soil. This 

 seems logical. Further, if a large amount is put close to the 

 seed, and heavy rains follow planting, there is often injury to the 

 seed. Hence, it is always wise to mix the fertilizer with the earth. 



PRESERVATION OF THE GREEN LEAF 



Anything which destroys the leaf surface reduces the starch 

 making machinery, and though there may. be an abundant water 

 supply, ample available plant food of the right sort, and greatest 

 vigor of plants, if the leaf surface is impaired or destroyed, all 

 will be for naught. 



INSECTS 



In many sections the flea beetle is very destructive, but where 

 bordeaux is used the damage has been very slight. Not that it kills 

 the beetles, but being very distasteful it drives them away, per- 

 haps to feed on something less valuable, or it may be they starve. 



