Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-16
GERMAN ExPERIMENTs.

GERMAN EXPERIMENTS.
Bschman, a German investigator, re-
ports that the frequent cultivation OF
potatoes gave the best results. and that
the highest yields were obtained on the
plants receiving a complete fertilizer.
Withholding nitrogen decreased the
yield. while the absence OF phosphoric
acid did not seem TO have marked eff
feet.
W. Schneidewind, a German investiga-
tor. observed IN experiments with-sugar
beets and potatoes that the latter had a
much greater power OF utilizing the
potash OF the soil than the former
which explains why the potato demands
such heavy applicants Of potash fertil-
izers.
]. SeissI and E. Gross. German inves-
tigators. report that their experiments
show that applications OF potash to the
soil increase the yield OF tubers and
starch content as well. PhoSphoric
acid alone affected the quality and
quantity Of the crop unfavorably- When
the two elements were applied the IN
desirable effect Of the phosphoric acid
was mitigated but not entirely over
come. Potash and phOsphOric acid
used together increased the quantity Of
leaves and stems. though when phos-
phoric acid alone was used the foliage
evidence Of the relation OF salts to the
production OF large crops Of potatoes.
II should be borne in mind that the det-
rimentaI effect OF phosphorio acid here
In noted is probably due 20 some pecu-
liarity OF the soil experimental with.
E. GOdlewski. a German investigator.
observed that when potash was lacking
in the soil. the stems and foliage OF the
potato were much shorter than where
A.
noted that the plants died at an earlier
stage when liberal applications of nitro
gen and phOsphoric acid were applied
70 the soil Furthermore, that il was
useless TO apply these two ~Iements
when the soil was deficient in potash.
These results are in accord with the sug-
gestions already made and the experience
of many successful potato growers.
b. Sjollema. a German investigator,
reports that in a comparison OF barn
yard manure and chemical fertilizers
practically the same Yields were OBJ
tanned, but that potatoes grown with
farmyard manure contained about per
cent less starch than those grown with
commercial fertilizers. He also reports
that heavy applications OF potash SEEM
ed TO neutralize the detrimental effects
of farmwyard manure on the formation
OF starch He further observed that but
little increase was obtained after the
third season from repeated applications
OF farmyard manure. and though prac-
ticaIly the same result followed the use
Of commercial fertilizers. doubling the
amount usually increased the yield of
the second crop. He concludes that the
application OF potash alone in double
amounts would produce the same result.
It Is thus seen that potash Is the most
important element Of a potato fertilizer.
and that while nitrogen and phosphoric
acid are necessary, they can be used in
smaller amounts and less frequently
than potash with benecial results.
tn Pfeiffer, of Jena, Germany, found
In one instance that the chlorine in muri-
ate OF potash was apparently helpful to
certain varieties Of potatoes. He con-
cluded that where large applications
of potash are made for potatoes in the
spring. II is best to apply It as muriate
or kainit- With light applications-not
over - pounds per acre. sulphate was
used with profit
BRITISH INVESTIGATIONS.
r. p. Wright. OF Scotland, reports that
fine results were obtained from the use
Of tons OF barnyard manure. though ten
tons OF manure supplemented with COM
mercial fertilizers and commercial fer
tilizers alone gave good results. He OBJ
served that the variety had a marked ef-
feet on the yield. and that the increase
was due TO the enlargement Of the aver
age size OF the tubers. Light dressings
OF manure were favored in conjunction
with the commercial fertilizers. The best
cooking potatoes were obtained when
heavy applications OF commercial fertil-
izers were made. sulphate of potash be-
ing used at the rate of II pounds or
more per acre in conjunction with liz
pounds of nitrate Of soda, "a pounds