IX PUT AS RELATED TO OUTPUT 
Tabu 
1. — Variations in the value of fertilizer applied per acre of potatoes on 
300 farms in Monroe County, S. Y., 1913 1 
Value of fertilizer and manure applied per acre 
Number 
of farms 
$0.00 to S5. 49 
44 
$5. 50 to MO. 49 
121 
$10. 50 to $15. 49 
$15. 50 to $20. 49 
76 
43 
$20. 50 to $25. 49 
10 
$25. c'O to $30. 49 
- 
$30. 50 to $35. 49 

$35. 50 to $40. 49 

$40. 50 to $45. 49 
1 
1 From a survey made by Cornell University in 1913 and 1914. The data pertaining to potato production 
on these farms were furnished by Dr. E. V. Hardenburg of Cornell University. A complete analysis of 
the data was published in A Study . by the Crop Survey Method, of Factors influencing the Yield of Po- 
tatoes, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station Memoir 57, June, 1922. The writers wish to 
express their thanks to Doctor Hardenburg for his cooperation in furnishing the data for this study. 
• 
The most usual or modal rate of application was about $8.66 2 
worth of fertilizer and manure to the acre : but since, as is shown by 
the figure, there were a few applications at much higher rates, the 
mean application. $11.28. was much higher. 
Why is there this wide variation in the value of fertilizer applied? 
Some of the reasons may be as follow : (1) Possible variations in the 
composition of the fertilizers; (2) differences in quality (and value) 
of the land: (3) differences in present condition of the land; (4) 
differences in crop rotation: (5) differences in methods of applica- 
tion: and (6) differences in amount of seed to be planted. 
Tables 2, 3, and 4 show what relationship there is between value 
of fertilizer used and the several variables included in the data. 
Table 2. — Average input of other factors per acre, by given inputs of fertilizer 
and manure 
Average inputs of other factors 
Input of fertilizer per acre 
Depth 
of 
plowing 
Cultiva- 
tions 
Spray- 
ings 
Seed 
planted 
$0.00 to $5.49 ._ 
Inches 
7.33 
7.61 
7.40 
7.61 
Number 
7.81 
7.64 
7.54 
8.56 
Number 
1.72 
2.09 
1.71 
2.04 
Bushels 
10.59 
$5.50 to $10.49 
11.42 
$10.50 to $1.5.49 
$15.50 to $20.49 
12.36 
12.07 
All farms .. .. . . . - 
7. 56 
7. 88 
2.04 
12.11 
Table 2 shows no apparent relationship between the input of fer- 
tilizer and the input of the other factors, except a slight increase in 
the quantity of seed as more fertilizer was used. When these rela- 
- The mode is simply the rate of most frequent occurrence. This lies in the group of 
$5.50 to $10.49 worth of fertilizer per acre, which covers 121 farms, by far the Largest of 
any group. The midpoint of the group. .$8.00, might be taken for the approximate mode; 
but since there were 76 farms in the next higher group, and only 44 in the next lower, the 
76 
mode may be more accurately estimated at iyxy?; group intervals, or #3.16, above the 
lower limit of the group ; $5.50 + 3.16 gives $8.66 as the mode. 
