100 REPORT OF THE BOTANIST OF THE 
neighboring unsprayed row, row 15, with fertilizer, yielded 205 
bushels per acre. Thus it appears that the use of 1,000 pounds 
of fertilizer per acre increased the yield about 100 bushels per 
acre. The value of the fertilizer used was $13, while 100 bushels 
of potatoes were worth $50, and the net profit from the use of 
the fertilizer was $37 per acre. Certainly it would have been 
false economy not to have used the fertilizer. 
As for the experiment at Riverhead, where fertilizer was used 
at the rate of 1,100 pounds per acre, it need only be said that on 
Long Island that quantity is considered moderate, and Station 
experiments have shown 1,000 pounds per acre to be profitable’. 
Many potato growers use one ton per acre and believe that it is 
profitable. 
Another objection raised by potato growers in central and 
western New York is that the potatces were planted in drills, 
which, of course, tends to increase the yield, but on many farms 
is impractical, owing to the difficulty of keeping the crop free 
from weeds. Many farmers plant from 388 to 36 inches apart 
each way, which admits of horse cultivation in both directions. 
On land foul with weeds it would probably be unwise to plant 
in drills; for, no doubt, considerable hand labor would be re- 
quired, especially in wet seasons. However, it should be the aim 
to prevent land from becoming foul. On the Station farm it is 
the policy to keep weeds under control, and, consequently, no 
difficulty whatever was experienced in keeping the potatoes clean 
by ordinary horse cultivation. 
We do not consider the objection to planting in drills well 
founded. By a little extra care, year after year, weeds may be 
kept under control to such an extent that it will be possible to 
plant potatoes in drills and keep them free from weeds without 
employing hand labor. Where potatoes can be planted in drills 
it is desirable to do so, since the yield can be greatly increased 
thereby at little extra expense. 
As to the use of whole small tubers for seed little need be said. 
The object was to secure a full stand in order to have: uniform 
conditions throughout the experiment; and a full stand is more 
readily obtained with whole tubers than with pieces. However, 
® Bulletins Nos. 93, 112, 137, 154 and 187 of this Station. 
