REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. 
POTATO-SPRAYING EXPERIMENTS IN 1904.* 
F. C. Srewart, H. J. Eustace anp F. A. Sirrine. 
SUMMARY. 
During 1904 the Station made potato-spraying experiments on 
a large scale. This bulletin gives the details of 58 different experi- 
ments in various parts of the State. 
In the Station ten-year experiments the gain due to spraying 
was larger than ever before. At Geneva, five sprayings increased 
the yield 233 bushels per acre, while three sprayings increased it 
191 bushels. The gain was due chiefly to the prolongation of 
growth through the prevention of late blight. The sprayed pota- 
toes contained one-ninth more starch and were of better quality. 
At Riverhead, the gain due to six sprayings was 961-3 bushels 
and to three sprayings 561-2 bushels per acre. Here, the flea- 
beetle was the chief enemy. 
In fourteen farmers’ business experiments, including 180 acres, 
_ the average gain due to spraying was 62 1-4 bushels per acre; the 
average total cost of spraying, $4.98 per acre; the average cost 
for each spraying, 93 cents per acre; and the average net profit, 
based on the market price of potatoes at digging time, $24.86 per 
acre. 
In 41 farmers’ volunteer experiments, including 386334 acres, 
the average gain due to spraying was 581% bushels per acre. In 
23 of these experiments the average total cost of spraying was 
$3.91 per acre; the average cost for each spraying 90% cents; and 
the average net profit, based on the market price of potatoes at 
digging time, $22.01 per acre. 
*A reprint of Bulletin No. 264. 
