1892 
THE  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
i35 
Notes  from  the  Rural  Grounds. 
Potato  Experiments  During-  a  Dry  Season 
and  in  a  Variable  Soil. 
The  effects  of  tobacco  (snuff). 
* 
The  effects  of  nitrogen,  potash  and  phos¬ 
phate  used  separately  and 
in  combinations. 
/  * 
SERIES  V— (Last). 
No.  82.— 110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
110  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Eight  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  83.— 110  pounds  nitrate  soda., 
110  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. . 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes  . . 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Nine  rotten  potatoes.) 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(28  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  85.— 110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
220  pounds  raw  bone  flour. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(15  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  86.— 110  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
110  pounds  raw  bone. 
110  pounds  dissolved  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
The  results  of  using  Mapes,  Bowker  no .84.-110  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
and  Bradley  fertilizers  separately  and  no  pounds  sulphate  potash, 
together,  with  and  without  added  nitro-  EX  ESS 
eren  in  the  form  of  nitrate  of  soda  and 
nitrogen,  and  potash  in  the  form  of  nitrate  (28  rotten  potato 
of  potash,  are  before  the  reader.  In  this  No  85.— no  pounds  nitrate  soda, 
fifth  (and  last)  series  of  experiments  the  220  pounds  raw  bone  tiom 
effects  (1)  of  snuff  are  to  be  recorded  and  Yleld  per  acre.  Small  pota 
(»)  the  effects  of  nitrogen,  phosphate  and  Total  yleld  per  acre. . . 
potash  used  separately  and  in  various  (15  rotten  potatc 
combinations.  NO.  86.-1 10  pounds  nitrate  potash 
Trench  No.  20-No  fertilizer.  pOUnd,8  ^  hnr 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  108.06  110  pounds  dissolved  bor 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  60.50  Yield,  per  acre.  Large  pot. 
-  Yield,  per  acre.  Small  poti 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  229.16 
No.  21.-1,760  pounds  tobacco  snuff.  Total  yield  per  acre  . 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  185.16  (Nine  rotten  pota 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  42.16  No.  87.-110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
-  110  pounds  sulphate  pota 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  227.32  no  poun(jg  dissolved  boi 
No.  22—  3,520  pounds  snuff.  ^  110  pounds  raw  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  278,66  Yield,  per  acre.  Large  poti 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  56,83  Yield,  per  acre.  Small  pot. 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  335.49  Total  yield  per  acre.. 
No.  23—3,520  pounds  snuff.  (Nine  rotten  poti 
440  pounds  nitrate  soda  No.  88-110  pounds  sulphate  pota 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  300.66  u#  pound„  nltrate  potag) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes . yield,  per  acre.  Large  poti 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  340.99  Yield,  per  acre.  Small  pot 
No.  24.-3,520  pounds  snuff.  Total  vleld  ner  acre 
440  pounds  nitrate  potash.  total  yield  per  acre.. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  tubers .  394.16  (See  No.  84.) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  tubers .  29.33  (Nine  rotten  pota 
~  No.  89.-110  pounds  sulphate  poU 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  423.49  uoundB  nitrate  soda. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Nine  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  87—110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
110  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
110  pounds  dissolved  bone. 
110  pounds  raw  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Nine  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  88—110  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
110  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. . 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. . 
No.  25—55  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  311.66 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  33.00 
Total  yield  per  acre .  344.66 
No.  26—110  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  196.16 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  42.16 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  238.32 
No.  27—220  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  209.00 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  33.00 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  242.00 
No.  28—440  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  225.55 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  27.50 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  253.05 
No.  29—880  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  227.00 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes . 27.50 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(See  No.  84.) 
(Nine  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  89—110  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
(See  No.  83.) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Three  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  90—220  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
220  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes.. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes.. 
Total  yield  per  aore . 
(Six  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  91—220  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
220  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(Seven  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  92— No  fertlizer. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes. 
Yield  per  acre.  Small  potatoes., 
not.  Now,  let  us  compare  the  average  (northeast)  part  and  the  lowest  (south 
yield  of  the  trenches  of  the  higher  land  west)  part  is  not  over  18  inches. 
8 45  83  (Nos.  20  to  39)  with  the  average  yield  of  It  may  be  noted  that  the  potatoes  fer- 
7TTZ,  the  trenches  of  the  lower  land  (Nos.  80  tilized  with  snuff  were  brighter  and 
to  95  inclusive).  The  average  yield  of  smoother  than  the  others.  As  there  was  no 
trenches  from  Nos.  20  to  39  inclusive  scab  it  could  not  be  ascertained  if  the 
287  83  (higher  land),  was  at  the  rate  of  284  snuff  acted  to  prevent  it. 
62.33  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  average  yield  The  number  of  what  we  considered 
of  trenches  from  Nos.  80  to  95  inclusive  large  or  marketable  potatoes  to  a  bushel 
(lower  land)  was  at  the  rate  of  368  of  60  pounds  was  279. 
bushels  to  the  acre,  an  increase  of  84  The  Rural  Blush,  as  in  the  preceding  ex- 
300.66  bushels  to  the  acre  for  the  lower  and  periments  of  these  kinds,  was  the  potato 
49.50  (supposably)  moister  land.  used. 
350.16  When  we  began  to  write  up  the  results 
of  this  laborious  series  of  potato  experi¬ 
ments,  we  were  fearful  that  they  would 
300.66  prove  contradictory  and  worthless.  The 
62  • 33  known  variability  of  the  land  did  not  at 
362.99  account  for  the  gradual  increase  in 
the  crop  as  we  proceeded  from  the  north¬ 
east  (higher  land)  to  the  southwest 
(lower  land),  because  the  grading  had 
been  done  in  such  a  way  that  though 
— —  marked  differences  in  yield  were  to  have 
390  50 
been  looked  for  as  between  two  con¬ 
tiguous  trenches,  yet  in  a  breast  of  25 
trenches,  the  average  yield  ought  not  to 
have  been  materially  affected  by  the 
333.66  grading,  since  the  same  soil  was  used — 
62.33  some  little  parts  (dishes)  receiving  more 
.  395.99  than  other  parts,  some  (hillocks)  receiv¬ 
ing  less. 
The  increasing  yield  as  we  go  from 
.  271.33  northeast  to  southwest,  is  not  however, 
•  71,60  altogether  attributable,  it  may  be  as- 
.  842.83  sumed)  to  a  proportionate  declination  of 
the  land.  A  careful  examination  shows 
that  the  subsoil  of  the  northeastern  por¬ 
tion  is  more  sandy  and  that  30  feet 
315.33  further  north  it  runs  into  a  pure,  seem- 
.  40.33  ingly  bottomless  sand  ;  while  as  we  go  to 
.  355.66  the  south  the  subsoil  becomes  hard  and 
at  a  depth  of  three  feet  almost  impene¬ 
trable.  It  is  plain,  then,  that  if  the  entire 
..  324.6O  plot  were  level,  the  soil  would  retain 
, .  51.33  moisture  more  and  more  as  we  go  to- 
,.  375.83  wards  the  southwest.  It  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  the  season  was  the  driest 
Interesting  Contributions  as  to  the 
History  of  the  Peach  Tomato. 
The  following  letter  explains  itself  : 
Ens.  H.  N.-Y— In  roading  the  special  number  of 
THE  Rural  NKW-YORKKK  of  January  23,  1892,  on 
Tomatoes  (which,  by  the  way,  gives  some  valuable 
and  Interesting  points  on  this  favorlto  fruit),  I  note 
that  Messrs.  Landroth  &  Son,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
claim  to  have  boon  tho  11  rst  seedsmen  to  catalogue 
the  Peach  Tomato,  having  received  It  about  1884, 
from  a  party  In  Lynchburg,  Va.  I  do  not  know  that 
there  Is  any  particular  honor  attached  to  Introducing 
this  variety,  but  from  the  evidence  that  I  herewith 
Inclose,  the  credit  for  the  Introduction  should  be 
given  where  due. 
On  page  5  of  S.  Y.  Haines  &  Co.’s  catalogue  for 
1880  (herewith  inclosed),  please  note  that  the  Peach 
Tomato  Is  Illustrated  and  described,  with  tho  In¬ 
formation  that  this  variety  originated  In  East  Ten¬ 
nessee.  My  seed  was  procured  from  Mr.  Thomas  (4. 
Boyd,  of  Monroe  County,  Tenn.,  in  1879.  Tills  gentle¬ 
man  was  the  originator  and  Introducer  of  the  Poach 
Tomato  In  this  country— see  his  catalogue,  page  15 
for  1879,  herewith  Inclosed.  Further  tho  deponent 
sayeth  not.  I  would  further  stato  that  Mr.  Boyd 
offered  to  sell  me  some  seed  In  1877,  after  Ills  release 
as  a  government  prisoner,  at  Nashville,  where  he 
amused  himself  experimenting  with  vegetable  and 
llower  seeds,  grown  In  a  window,  In  cans  and  pots, 
while  confined  as  a  prisoner,  having  transgressed 
some  of  the  revenue  laws  of  the  government.  Mr. 
Boyd  has  been  dead  for  about  seven  or  eight  years, 
or  he  could  confirm  these  statements.  However, 
there  are  several  old  residents  of  that  community 
that  can  vouch  for  their  truth.”  8.  Y.  iiaines. 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  January  25,  1892. 
of  many  years.  The  reader  may  argue  Thqs  g  Boyd’s  catalogue  above  al- 
353.83  that  in  the  moister  portions  of  the  plot,  luded  to  bears  the  date,  a8  stated,  of 
-  the  fertilizers  ought  to  have  given  larger  and  was  published  in  Sweetwater, 
414.83  yiekls,  or  a  greater  difference  between  Tennessee.  0n  page  15  we  find  the  follow- 
the  fertilized  and  unfertilized  trenches.  ing>  copied  word  for  word: 
293.33  It  is  not  difficult  to  understand,  however,  ^  ^  my  poacli  Tomato>  tho  flr8t  evor  80ld  ln 
*0,3lt  that  while  an  exceedingly  small  quantity  tjje  united  states.  It  is  a  perfect  beauty,  early  and 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  264.50 
No.  30—55  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
220  pounds  dissolved  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  203.50 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  44.00 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  247.50 
No.  31—55  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
220  pounds  dissolved  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  177.83 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  47.06 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  224.89 
No.  32—55  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
220  pounds  fine  raw  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  166.00 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  56.00 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  220.00 
No.  33—55  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
220  pounds  fine  raw  bone. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  234.66 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  40.33 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  274.99 
No.  34 .—No  fertilizer. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  258.50 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  33.00 
Total  yield,  per  acre .  291.50 
No.  35—55  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  245.66 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  58.66 
Total  yield  per  acre .  304.32 
No.  36—110  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  264.00 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  55.00 
Total  yield  per  acre .  833.66 
(Three  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  93—440  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
440  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes . 315.33 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  66.83 
Total  yield  per  acre .  372.16 
(Two  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  94—440  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
(Compare  with  No.  38.) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  306.16 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  66.00 
Total  yield  per  acre .  372.16 
(Two  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  95—440  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
440  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
440  pounds  sulphate  potash. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes .  355.66 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes .  29.33 
Total  yield  per  acre .  384.99 
Contrary  to  expectation,  there  was  not  a  rotten 
potato  ln  this  trench.  It  is  noteworthy  also  that  the 
average  size  of  tubers  was  the  largest  with  the  fewest 
small  ones. 
VINE  GROWTH. 
As  in  the  previous  series,  the  condition 
of  the  vines  was  estimated  by  three  per¬ 
sons  as  before  stated,  on  June  14,  10  de¬ 
noting  the  maximum  and  <me  the  mini- 
of  soil  moisture  might  support  the  plant, 
it  might  yet  be  insufficient  to  dissolve  the 
applied  chemicals  and  render  them  fit 
for  food. 
AVERAGES. 
The  seven  nitrate  of  soda  trenches 
yielded  an  average  of  320.18  bushels  to 
the  acre;  the  six  nitrate  of  potash  trenches 
an  average  of  but  280.14  bushels  to  the 
acre — a  difference  in  favor  of  the  nitrate 
of  soda  of  about  40  bushels  per  acre.  But 
the  nitrate  of  soda  trenches  were  Nos. 
35,  36,  37,  38,  39,  80,  94,  while  the  nitrate 
of  potash  trenches  were  further  towards 
the  northeast  which,  we  are  assuming, 
is  less  retentive  of  moisture  than  the 
trenches  toward  the  southwest.  The 
nitrate  of  potash  trenches  were  Nos.  25, 
26,  27,  28,  29  and  81.  If  we  compare 
nitrate  of  potash  trench  No.  81  with 
nitrate  of  soda,  trench  No.  80  (which  were 
side  by  side)  we  shall  see  that  the  nitrate 
of  potash  outyielded  the  nitrate  of  soda 
by  18.33  bushels  per  acre.  Trench  No. 
94,  which  received  440  pounds  of  nitrate 
late,  very  sweet  and  prolific.  Tho  largest  vinos  I  evor 
saw  were  of  this  variety  and  heavily  loaded  with 
fruit.  The  tomato  Is  medium  size,  ln  shupo  resem¬ 
bles  tho  peach,  and  when  ripening  lias  fuz  like  It, 
hence  Its  name.  When  two-thirds  or  throe-fourths 
ripe,  It  has  the  appearance  of  wax  work  and  Is  often 
so  taken,  many  persons  admiring  it  have  exclaimed, 
“What  beautiful  wax  workl  ”  I  feel  confident  It  will 
give  satisfaction  wherever  tried,  and  feel  a  pride  ln 
presenting  It  to  the  American  people.  Sold  only  by 
the  single  package,  price  50  cents  each . 
S.  Y.  Haines  &  Co.’s  catalogue  was 
printed  in  Philadelphia,  1880.  On  page 
5  we  find  the  following: 
THE  PEACH  TOMATO— Entirely  new,  originating 
ln  East  Tennessee  last  season;  over  medium  ln  size, 
rich,  mottled  red  cheek,  juicy  and  luscious,  resem¬ 
bles  a  rich,  well  ripened  peach  ln  shape  and  appear¬ 
ance.  It  Is,  by  far,  the  most  delicious  tomato  we 
have  ever  seen.  It  Is  a  perfect  beauty,  early  and 
late,  very  prolific.  The  largest  vines  wo  ever  saw 
were  of  this  variety  and  heavily  loaded  with  fruit. 
Price  per  package  25  cents  or  three  for  50  cents . 
The  Crosby  (Excelsior)  Peach. — As¬ 
sistant  United  States  Pomologist  W.  A. 
Taylor  writes  to  us  as  follows: 
The  name  of  tho  peach  which  E.  P.  P.,  on  page  68, 
discusses  as  Excelsior  has  been  changed  to  Crosby 
This  was  done  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Division  of 
Pomology,  to  avoid  the  confusion  likely  to  arise  be- 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
No.  37—220  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes.... 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes  — 
Total  yield  per  acre  . 
No.  38—440  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes . 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes . 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
No.  39—880  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes — 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes  — 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
No.  80—220  pounds  nitrate  soda. 
(Same  as  No.  37.) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes. . . . 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(15  rotten  potatoes.) 
No.  81—220  pounds  nitrate  potash. 
(Same  as  No.  27.) 
Yield,  per  acre.  Large  potatoes  — 
Yield,  per  acre.  Small  potatoes  — 
Total  yield  per  acre . 
(18  rotten  potatoes.) 
319.00 
266.71 
44.00 
310.71 
280.50 
55.00 
335.50 
238.38 
31.16 
269.49 
293.33 
36.66 
329.99 
300.66 
47.66 
348.32 
mum  of  size  and  vigor  : 
No. 
-  %K 
No. 
33 . 
. 6J4 
No. 
85 . 
22 . 
34 . 
. 5  ' 
86 . 
. 7 
23 . 
. 5M 
35 . 
. 6Vi 
87 . 
. 1% 
24 . 
. 5% 
36 . 
. 5  H 
88 . 
. 5% 
37 . 
89.  ..  . 
. 
26 . 
. 6 
38 . 
. 1% 
90 . 
. 60 
27 . 
. OMj 
39 . 
. 5!4 
91 . 
. m 
28 . 
. 7 
80 . 
. m 
92 . 
. 
29 . 
. 6  '4 
81 . 
. 6 
93 . 
. 
30  . 
82 . 
. 6 
94 . 
. 6% 
31 . 
. 65-6 
83 . 
95 . 
. 7 
32 . 
. 
84 . 
. 6^ 
In  this  series  the  average  product  of 
the  unfertilized  trenches,  Nos.  20,  34  and 
92,  was  284.77  bushels  to  the  acre.  The 
position  of  the  trenches  from  Nos.  20  to 
39  was  next  to  the  highest  land  (Mapes) ; 
the  position  of  the  rest,  Nos.  80  to  95  was 
nearly  the  lowest.  No.  20  (no  fertilizer), 
yielded  229  bushels ;  No.  34,  291  bushels 
and  No.  92,  333  bushels,  the  yield  gen¬ 
erally  increasing  as  the  land  declined, 
whether  the  trenches  were  fertilized  or 
of  soda  (twice  as  much  as  No.  81,  which 
received  220  pounds  of  nitrate  of  potash) 
yielded  372.16  bushels,  or  23.80  bushels 
more  than  the  nitrate  of  potash,  but  its 
position  was  13  trenches  nearer  the  low¬ 
est  (or  southwestern)  portion  of  the  field. 
The  studious  reader  will  readily  make 
further  comparisons  for  himself  if  he  will 
but  bear  in  mind  that  the  first  breast  of 
trenches  begins  with  No.  1  and  ends  with 
the  last  tobacco  trench,  No.  24;  and  that 
this  is  the  highest  and  driest  land,  but 
itself  growing  moister  from  No.  1  to  24, 
or  from  East  to  West. 
As  we  further  go  to  the  South  the 
trenches  progress  regularly  in  number, 
up  to  the  last,  No.  102,  which  occupied 
the  lowest  part,  the  southwestern 
boundary  of  the  entire  plot.  The  whole 
difference,  however,  between  the  highest 
tween  It  and  Prince's  Excelsior,  a  variety  Introduced 
by  the  late  Win.  B.  Prince,  about  1859,  from  which 
the  Crosby  Is  entirely  distinct.  The  attention  of  the 
introducers  was  called  to  this  fact  and  they  at  once 
submitted  the  history  of  the  peach  with  the  request 
that  the  Division  should  select  a  suitable  name.  The 
name  Crosby  was  accordingly  decided  on,  ln  honor  of 
Henry  Crosby,  of  Billerica,  Mass.,  with  whom  It  seems 
to  have  originated  about  1876,  and  as  such  It  will  be 
known  In  the  future . 
The  directors  and  chemists  of  certain 
stations  agree  each  year  upon  a  schedule 
of  trade  values  of  fertilizing  ingredients. 
Referring  to  the  schedule  of  1891,  the 
Farm  Journal  finds  that  nitrogen  ranges 
in  price  from  seven  cents  per  pound  in 
horn  shavings,  hair  and  coarse  fish  scrap, 
tol8>£  centsin  sulphate  of  ammonia;  phos¬ 
phoric  acid  is  priced  at  three  cents  per 
pound  in  coarse  bone  and  tankage,  and 
eight  cents  per  pound  soluble  in  water, 
as  in  dissolved  bone  or  dissolved  rock  ; 
