The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-07-10
Crop Experiments Viewed
INTERESTING TOUR BY THE COUNT
FARM RTIREAT

y INTERESTING TOUR BY THE COUNT
FARM BUREAU
i The Burlington County Board Q
( Agriculture conducted an automobil
tour, on Saturday, to inspect mum
, Der of experiments that are beini
made on various farms in this county
The demonstrations are being made a
the suggestion of the county and STATE
boards, and will be, without doubt, 0
| considerable value to the farmers o
this section. The tour was in charg'
of George 7. Reid, farm demonstration
The experiments inspected were OF
potatoes, peaches and alfalfa, the prin-
cipal one being potatoes, which is
very important crop in this county
and about which there is considerable
need for enlightenment and improve
ment.
OF course, as stated by the farm
demonstration on Saturday, the fina
test Of all the experiments will be the
quantity and quality of the yield when
OnC ClOHo dlC AdlNCSbCus liz OOANAAA
sions on the demonstrations were based
on the present appearances Of the
vines and trees.
1t appears now that immature first
crop and second crop homegrown po-
tatoes give as good or better results
than northern grown seed and are less
diseased; and that New York state
seed is superior to Maine seed, showing
less disease.
The fertilizer tests indicate that 1900
ID. per acre on potatoes is approximate
ly the proper amount to use; that
heavier applications show no appre.
ciable or paying advantage; that the
best results we're obtained this year
from the 400 mixture; that an adj
dition of 8 per cent. of potash, even at
the exorbitant price of S. per unit per
ton, is paying proposition; that more
than 8 per cent. potash, which former
ly was advocated and used by many
farmers, is of no advantage.
The alfalfa tests indicate that Kan
sas or South Dakota seed, preferably
Kansas, is best adapted for Burlington
county, and that foreign seed, such as
South American or Russian, is a fall
ure here.
The first farm visited was that Of A..
S. Walton, near Moorestown. Here
was seen demonstration of late crop
Jersey grown Giant potatoes planted
beside selected strain of New York
Giants and Maine Prize; also immature
home grown Cobblers in comparison
with Maine Cobblers. There was no
apparent difference in the growth OF
the vines. There was less disease on
the vines from homegrown seed, and
the New York strain showed less dis
ease than the Maine. There was pres
ent lice and leaf curl on all the vines.
Spraying with wet or dry Bordeaux
mixture showed no difference in re-
suits,
Fertilizer tests also were shown on
the Walton farm. One comparison
was 5-8-3 and 7-12-O mixtures, 1900 Id.
to the acre. The former produced
larger vines. Rows of 5-8-3 applied
1 500 and 1000 Id. per acre respectively
showed an advantage for the heavier
application. In comparison of 400
and 5-8-5, 1000 Id. per acre, the latter
showed the advantage of the potash.
Applications Of 1900 Id. per acre of Z
1910 and 400, proved that the latter
is better.
Another seed potato demonstration
was seen on the Hansell Lippincott
farm, late-crop homegrown Giants in
comparison with selected strain of
Maine Prize and New Yorker Wilson
Giants.
The vines from the Maine seed were
smaller and gave evidence of more dis
ease. There was no difference between
the vines Of the jersey and New York
seed
Late-crop Gold Coin seed, planted
about August LIST last year, in COM
parison with Maine Gold Coin seed,
showed growth of vines slightly in
favor of the home seed and no disease.
An alfalfa seed test, being conducted
by the state experiment station, was
viewed on the farm of Henry D. Culin.
Sixteen small plots had been planted
with seed secured from different
sources and different varieties from the
same sources. The results thus far OBJ
tanned show that Kansas and South
Dakota seeds are best adapted for local
conditions.
The imported seed-Russian, Turlxes-
tan and South Americans not Salts
factory, as the plants die the second
winter. Good results have not been
obtained from Texas or other southern
seed, nor from that secured too far
north.
New Jersey seed, which is difficult
to secure, is satisfactory. This seed,
when obtainable, is sent west for pro-
pagation, as the seed natures better
than in this state. An effort is being
made to secure some seed on the Parry
farm, Hainesport.
An elaborate test of fertilizers for
potatoes is being conducted on the
farm Of ]. Aquila Jones. which was the
next point visited. Here over 40 COM
binstions and quantities Of fertilizers
are being tried out by the state expert
ment station. A similar test is being
made ut Elmer.
The tests comprise ~ the proper
amount of standard fertilizer; ~ the
best source of nitrogen, and (3) the
amount of potash giving the best re-
suits. There are also tests with mari
and ground limestone. both of which
thus far have developed no noticeable
advantage as a source OF potash.
The standard fertilizer referred to is
ABB, made as follows: / nitrogen from
nitrate OF soda; from ammonium sui
phate and ! from tankage; the phos-
phoric acid from Ia percent. acid phos-
phate and potash from muriate.
The experiments thus far show that
the excessive use Of fertilizer is Of nc
advantage, that about 1900 Id. per acre
is the proper amount; that per cent
of potash is as good or perhaps better
than larger amounts; that it pays tc
use potash; that nitrate of soda is the
best source to obtain nitrogen; that
sulphate ammonia produces depress
ing effect.