Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-29
APPLICATION OF FER
TILIzER ON POTATOES
Gratifying Results from Expert
ments During a Single Year
at the Aroostook Farm-But
Little Difference in the Yield
in the Three Methods Used.

IN the Inree Methods used.
Orono, Me-, Oct. 29.-(speciaD The
following report has been made public
by Director Chas. D. Woods of the
Maine Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton:
1t has always been more or less
customary in growing potatoes in
Maine to apply the fertilizer in the
drill or hill at the time of planting.
This was largely the practice when
farm manures were used in connec-
ton with potato growing and has been
followed with commercial fertilizers
Although now when farm manures are
used in connection with potatoes they
are more likely to be applied broadcast
and a smaller amount of fertilizer APP
piled in the drill. There was little
question in the minds of practical
growers that when 500 to 1000 pounds
of fertilizer were applied per acre that
it was to the best advantage to apply
it in the drill. With the increase up
to 1900 to 1000 pounds per acre the
question has arisen whether it may not
be advisable to apply the fertilizer at
different times, which led the Maine
oldtiOil
dertake trials at Aroostook Farm.
In 1914 an experiment was started
to extend over a period of years for
the purpose of testing the method of
applying fertilizer. Something over
acre plots were used. In the first and
fourth Of the six acre plots 1000
pounds of the fertilizer were applied
broadcast before planting and 500
On plots and the whole 1900 pounds
of fertilizer were applied at the time
of planting. On plots and 6, 1000
pounds were applied with the planter
at the time of planting and 500 pounds
at the first cultivation.
The fertilizer used was high grade,
carrying per cent nitrogen, per.
cent of available phosphoric acid and
I per cent of water soluble potash
One-third of the nitrogen was in the
form of nitrate of soda, and the re-
mainder as high grade organic nitro
gen. The yields are based upon weigh
ings and not upon measure. The po-
tatoes were clean, without adhering
soil.
In potato experiments at Highmoor
Farm the Station had found that when
there was only a small amount of
rainfall following the second appliea-
ton of fertilizer that apparently this
added fertilizer was not much utilized.
I This present season, however, at
Aroostook Farm there was ample
water to dissolve and render this plant
food in all of the fertilizer available.
1t has been estimated that it takes
about six inches of water to success
fully grow crop of potatoes. In the
spring of 1914 the ground was well
filled with water and in May at Aroos-
| took Farm there was PA inches of
rainfall, and in June AS inches, in July
2.23 inches and in August 2.35 inches,
or little more than Il inches during
these four months.
On plots l and on which 1000 pounds
of the fertilizer were applied broadcast
and 500 pounds with the planter at the
time of planting, the yield was III and
127 barrels, making an average of 124
barrels per acre. On plots 2 and 3,
where 1900 pounds of fertilizer were
applied all in the drill at the time of
planting the yields We're 1874 and 127
barrels, or an average of 100 barrels
for the two plots. The yields on plots
8 and 6, where the fertilizer was APP
piled 1000 pounds in the drill and 500
pounds with the first cultivation, were
the same as in plots 1 and 4, being 127
and 121 barrels with an average of 124
barrels per acre.
In field experiments of this kind even
if there had been marked differences
it would not do to draw conclusions
from a single years trial because there
are so many things that come in to
modify the results of a field expert
ment even when the plots are as large
as these were.
! So far as a single years test goes
there is little to choose between the
three methods although six barrels
more per acre were obtained where
all of the fertilizer was applied in the
drill than in the two other methods.
1t is interesting to note, however, that
one of the plots in each method of
| treatment yielded at the rate of 127
barrels to the acre. If those plots
alone were selected there would have
been no differences in yields in the ex-
pertinent
| 1t is planned to repeat this expert
ment in 1915, at which time there will
be added another plot in which all of
the fertilizer will be applied broadcast
before planting and none applied with
the planter.
I