106 Report oF trHE BoTrANICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
are: (1) They are on too small a scale (three-tenths of an 
acre); (2) the spraying is done more thoroughly than farmers 
would do it; (8) it is impossible to determine accurately the ex- 
pense of the spraying; (4) the idea is prevalent that the Station 
potatoes are given extra good care in order that large yields 
may be obtained. 
To satisfy this demand for experiments of a more practical 
kind the writers decided to conduct a series of farmers’ business 
experiments so managed as to show the actual profit in spray- 
ing potatoes under ordinary farm conditions. This work was 
commenced in 1903 with six experiments.** The results proved 
of such general interest that it was thought best to increase the 
number of experiments in 1904. It now seems probable that 
several of these business experiments will be made each season 
during the remaining seven years in which the potato spraying 
experiments are to be continued. 
METHODS. 
In the spring of 1904 the Station arranged with fourteen 
farmers in different parts of the State to keep an account of 
their spraying operations on potatoes. An accurate record was 
kept of all the expense of the spraying including labor, chemi- 
cals and wear of machinery. In each experiment three to seven 
rows were left unsprayed except that they were treated with 
poison to protect them from bugs. The spraying and all work 
connected therewith was done by the farmers themselves and in 
such manner as they thought best although in some cases the 
Station offered advice. } 
In the fall, the tubers on one or more of the unsprayed rows 
were carefully weighed. The same was done with one or more 
of the sprayed rows on either side. In this manner it was deter-. 
mined how much the yield had been increased by spraying. In 
all cases a representative of the Station was present when the 
test rows were dug and assisted with the weighing. The length 
and width of the rows were carefully measured, the Station 
representative assisting with this also. Accordingly, we can 
vouch for the accuracy of the yields reported. During the sea- 
son the experiments in Western New York were visited twice, 
Details of these experiments were published in Bulletin 241 of this Station, 
pp. 267-282. 
