TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

BULLETIN NO. 1L2.

MARCH, 1897.

THE IRISH POTATO.

POSTOFFICE:
COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS 00., TEXAS.

All Reports from this Station are sent free to farmers of the State on application to»
J. H. CONNELL, DIRECTOR, P. O. College Station, Texas.

 

AUSTIN:

BEN 0. JONES s: 00., PRINTERS.
1897 [911]

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

OFFICERS. -

GOVERNING BOARD .

(BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. a M. CCLLEGE.)

MAJ. A. J. ROSE, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Austin.

HCN. W. R. CAVITT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..B1'yan.

HON. D. A. PAULUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hallettsville.

HCN. G. W. BOWMAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..P1ano.

HCN. JCIIN B. LONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Rusk.
TREASURER.
PRESIDENT L. S. Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . College Station.
STATION STAFF.
J. H. CCNNELL, M. SC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Director.

H. H. IIARRINGTCN, M. SC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chemist.

M. FRANCIS, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterinarian.

R. H. PRICE, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Horticulturist.

B. C. PITTUCK. B. S. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Agricu1turist.

P. S. TILSCN, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Chemist.

H. NEss, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Assistant Iiorticultilrist.

C. C. '1‘0‘1>1>, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Chemist.

H. C. KYLE, B. S, A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F0reman of ITaIIn.

J. G. HARRISON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Bookkeeper.

SUPERINTENDENT OF BEEVIIILE STATION.

S. A. MCHENRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . Beeville, Bee Co.

[912]

THE IRISH POTATO.

BY 11. H. PRICE, B. s.

In 1895, soon after the completion of our experiments on the sweet
potato, the irish potato was taken up as one line of experimental work.
The work on this line was temporarily delayed on account of lack of
funds to carry it on, and also to publish the results of our experiments.
The facts, however, herein recorded, while losing some in freshness,
have not lost any in importance.

As an article of human food, the irish potato is used almost as ex-
tensively as indian corn. It adapts itself to wide variations in soil and
climate. Like the sweet potato, it is attracting attention as food for
stock. I11 this State, it ranks second to the sweet potato in number of
acres cultivated and value of crop grown. The main reasons why it has
not been groxvn to a larger extent in this State may be stated to be the
difficulty in keeping the tubers in storage, the injury done by insects
and fungus diseases, and the costliness of seed to plant in thespring. It
is a well known fact that a large per cent. of the crop grown in the State
is lost by decay soon after it is matured. In the year 1895, the value of
the crop per bushel dropped to thirty cents in July and reached fifty
cents in September. This fact indicated the crowded condition of the
market in July. From October on until the next crop matures the fol-
lowing year the money is sent out of the State for irish potatoes. The
amount of irish potatoes shipped into the State for seed in the Spring is
enormous. At the 15th of February, 1895, one grower from Massachu-
setts advertised he had already shipped into the State twenty carloads of
the Triumph variety for seed the following spring, and these twenty
carloads were valued at $7 700. I have learned that orders for several
carloads of Northern seed potatoes were made as early as September in
1897. In this Bulletin will be found some results so far obtained in
testing over fifty varieties, many of which are new, in keeping them, in
preventing injury done by some diseases, and in testing the effects of
different fertilizers upon the yield.

TEST OF VARIETIES.

The soil upon which the test of varieties was made has the same char-
acteristics as that dcscribedin Bulletin No. 36 for sweet potatoes. It is
a rather dark, heavy, sandy clay, with an almost impervious, grayish sub-
soil. The soil is only moderately fertile. Upon it a peach orchard had
grown for sixteen years. The ground was plowed in the fall and in
February, just before jalanting time. After harrowing it thoroughly it
was in excellent condition. Rows were made across the experimental

[913]

914 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

plot fifty feet long a11d about four inches deep and three and a half feet
apart. The tubers were cut t0 two eyes and the pieces were dropped in

the rows fourteen inches apart. “Seed ends” were rejected. 'J.‘hey were»

planted March 5th to 11th. Dirt was thrown on the pieces by a broad
sweep run once between the rows, to cover them. This operation left a
ridge above each row of potatoes. These ridges were left until the pota-
toes began to come through, when a light harrow was run over the
ground t0 drag the ridges down somewhat and to kill young weeds which
had come up. Shallow cultivation was given after each rain, and the
ground was kept in excellent condition. No cultivation was given after
the potatoes began to bloom.

The season was rather wet and a few tubers rotted before they could
be harvested, but it is believed that the loss from this source would af-
fect the yields given in the following table not very materially.

The yield for each variety for first crop is calculated in bushels per
acre, while the yield of each variety for second crop is given in pounds
and ounces for a Wty-foot row planted. This indicates, perhaps, most
correctly the adaptability of each variety for growing a second crop. A

large per cent. of many varieties failed to come up when planted for this ’

second crop. The tubers for this second planting were also cut to two
eyes. This subject will be discussed more fully under another heading
further on. For the keeping test, the results of which are given in the
table, the tubers of each variety were spread out under partial shade and
covered about three inches thick with hay. The ground was kept moist
by sprinkling water over it at intervals as needed. A large per cent. of
some varieties sprouted soon, and quite a large per cent. of a number of
other varieties remained solid and firm until October. Each variety,
however, finally produced some second crop potatoes under these cir-
cumstances. The note on keeping quality in the table was taken on each

variety as it appeared the 1st of October, and it will be seen that this»

quality is, in almost every instance, inversely proportional to the adapta-
bility for groxving a second crop; that is to say, a variety which sprouts
early and docs not keep well is very apt to be good to grow a second
crop, and those which keep well are not the best for second crop growing.

The notes in regard to season were taken when the tops were nearly
dead and the crop was about ready to be dug. Some varieties had large
tubers on before the vines began to die, and, if dug then, would have
made a large yield, but as the skin slips off easily when the tubers are
dug in such immature state and thus prevents them from being shipped
and stored to best advantage, it was thought best not to make the note on
season based upon the development of the tubers. At the same time, it
is admitted that the foliage is often killed by blight and causes the crop
to ripen prematurely. Care must be taken to distinguish the difference
between blight and ripening. The growers’ usual test for maturity and
fitness to be dug is when the skin on the tubers will not slip when rubbed
with the hand. Owing t0 the wet, and, consequently, somewhat ab-
normal season, the note on season of ripening might be slightly different
if taken during a more normal season. For instance, the Early Rose is
listed in the table as a medium early variety, which characteristic it

showed in our test last year, while it is almost universally admitted to

be an early variety.

THE IRISH POTATO.

915

TABLE I. VARIETIES OF IRISH POTATOES.
Calculated bushels
_ _ per acre.
Name of Variety. E Season. 
5 q,‘ y .4 -
w .1 I m a
I
Beauty of Hebron . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Early .. Fail  .. 166.09] . . . .. 166.09
Bill Nye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen . Late. . .. Fail 196.02‘ 1.99 198.01
Bliss’ Triumph (1st crop seed) Dib . Early . . Good . 114.34 .. . .. 114 .34
Bliss’ Triumph (2nd crop seed) Sta. . Early . . Verygood 270.50 0.50 271 .00
Carman No. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thor. Late  Good  168.79  168.79

Carman No. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Late  Good  108.90 0 59 109.49

Chas. Downing . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen . Medium Good  155.29 1.03 156.31

C1arke’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late . .. Fair  192.39 1.19 193.58

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Late . . . Good . . .. 1()8.60  .. 108.60

Early Essex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib . Early .. Good .. . 204.09 0.94 205.03

Early Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Early .. Good  171.95 0.90 172.85

Early Hebron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Early .. Poor . . . .. 171.62‘ 0.91 172.52

Early Norther . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen . Late  Fair . . . .. 237.76 1.99 239.75

Early Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen . Early . . Good .. .. 277.69 0.54 278.23

Early Puritan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen . Medium Fair .. . .. 295.54 11.90 307.44

Early Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thor. Medium Poor . . . .. 217 .80 1.03 218.83

Early Sunrise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Early .. Fair  152.46 0.92 153.38

Empire State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Late  Fair  199.65 1.19 200.83

Everett’s Heavy lVeight . . . . .. Dib .. Late  Fair .. . .. 165.16 1.58 166.74

Great Divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late  Fair  112.90 0.4411334

Ideal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late . .. Good  199 65 1.19 200.84

Irish Daisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Late  Poor . . . .. 161.53 2.96164.49

Late Beauty of Hebron . . . . . .. Dib .. Medium Fair  161.53  161.53

Late Puritan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Medium Good .. . 161.53 .. . 161.53

Lightning Express . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Medium Fair  246 84 18.10 264.94

Maggie Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dib .. Medium Good .. . 181.50 0.52 182.02 '

Money Maker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late  Good  148.83 1.0014983"

Monroe Seedling . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hen.. Late ... Fair . . . . . 156.09 1.19 157.28

New Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Early .. Fair  216.90 0.90 217.80

Orphan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late .. Poor  .. 72.40 1.81 74.21

Pearl of Savo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late  Fair  128.03 .. .. 128.03

Pride of the West . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late  Poor . .  36.30 1.81 38.11

Peerless Jr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late  Poor  108.96 0.7310963

Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late  Good  235.95  235.95

Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late . . . Fair  226.67 2.10 228.77

Rural New Yorker . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late . . . Fair . . . .. 130.68 0.72 131.40

Rochester Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late . .. Fair  236.95 0.10 237.05

Saint Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen. . Late . .. Good .. .. 108.90 1.19110.09

Snow Drop . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late Fair  235.95 1.19 237.14

State of Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Late  Good  156.09  156.09

"Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Medium Good .... 235.95 1.19 237 . 14

Sunlit Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Early .. Fair  138.04 1.19 139.23

Superior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late  Fair .. . .. 145.20 1.1914939

The Thorburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Thor. Medium Fair . . . . . 179.68 .. . .. 179.60

Vanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late .. . Fair .. . . . 204.09 2.36 206.40

Ward‘s Earl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Early . . Fair .. . . . 223.24 0.90 224.14

White Elephant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hen.. Late . .. Fair . . . . . 132.49 155134.04

White Prize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dib .. Medium Fair .. . .. 171.95 0.47 172.42

White Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Hen.. Late .. Fair  98.01 1.03 99.04

Wonderful Clay Rose . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Late  Fair  98.01 0.90 98.91

World’s Fair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Dib .. Medium Fair ... .. 121.60 1.00122.60

I E e-o u: 3| as :11 mfl. 1;. U] '5 Yield of 2d. crop from

’—n

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..... ..... ...-................ .._.|....50ft_r0w__f|3S_&/OZS_
@"\1C>©(‘D@@©©©OlCCUIQCP~OICQLQC@NDKIUI©¢@U\CIJO!-J©Ul©*—‘©lQOOUlU\<l©©L\DJ!\/Ul©¢JI

* “ Dib.” stands for Edward F. Dibble Seed Co., Honeoye Falls, N. Y.; " Hen.." Peter Hen-
derson 8a Co., New York City, N.Y.; " Sta,” Texas Elgperimegt Station; “ Then,” J. M. Thor-
‘r 0t teste .

burn, New York City, N. Y.

916 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

EARLY VARIETIES.

The following brief notes on the varieties may be of value:

Beauty of Z1ebr0n.—Oblong, smooth; color chill white; vine grew three
feet high, aifected some by blight; a good variety.

Bliss’ Triampll.—Large, round, smooth; eyes somewhat sunken; color
light red; vine grew three feet high, grown from both spring and fall
crop seed; was affected some by blight, but the crop from “Northern”
seed was affected much more, and no doubt lowered the yield consider-
ably. This is a very popular variety in some of the Southern States, and
on this account has been sold in the State under several different names,
such as “Tennessee Triumph,” “Baker’s Triumph,” “Red Bliss,” and
“Jeff Wellborn ’l‘riumph.” This valuable variety is said to have been
“grown from a seed lyall of the well known Peerless, crossed With a
seerlling of the Early Rose in Connecticut, and introduced in 1878 by
l3. 1x’. Bliss  Sons, then of New York City.” Keeps well. Grows good
second crop if the tubers be well prepared by exposure to sunlight. In
order to prevent confusion, the word “Triumph” only should be used,
and after it, “first” or “second crop,” as the case may be. This variety
is, perhaps, the most popular one in the State to-day.

Eirrly ]i.s.sear.—lci’tmnfl to oblong, smooth, eyes a little sunken; color
white; vine grew three feet high; a valuable variety.

Early H cirarest. —-— Large, round. and somewhat flattened, rather un-
even; vine grew three feet high; hardly desirable. .

Early H ebr01z.—Goocl size, round to oblong, smooth; color dull white;
vine grew three feet high; a good variety.

Early Ohi0.—Large, round to oblong; color dull white; vines grew
three feet high; an excellent variety for sloring crop, but has done very
poorly for fall crop; keeps well. _

Early Sunrise. —— Medium size, long, smooth; color light red; vines
grew three feet high.

Queen (New Qrteeri).—Round to oblong, slightly flattened, smooth;
eyes a little sunken; color dull white; vines grew three feet high; af-
fected some by blight; a valuable new variety. Introduced by W. P.
Jerrard, Caribou, Me.

Stealer.‘ Slar.—-Oblong, smooth; color light red; vines grew three and a
half feet high; affected some by lalight.

l/Vardls Early.-—Small, round, smooth; color white; vines grew three
and a half feet high; forms tubers early.

MEDIUM EARLY VARIETIES.

Chas. Drrurrilrz_r/.——Oblong, smooth, inclined to grow small; color white;

vines grew three feet high; yielded a small crop.

Elarly Purllcirz. — Oblong, smooth; color white; vine grew four feet
high; largest yielding variety tested. Introduced by Peter Henderson 8t
Sons, N. Y.

Early Rose.—Oblong, a. little uneven; made a heavy yield; this well
known old variety is usually classed among the earliest, but it was not so
in our test last year. We have tested it at other places in former years,
and it was quite early.

THE IRISH POTATO. 917

Late Beauty of H ebron.—Large, oblo11g, smooth; color dull white; vine
grew three feet high.
Late Purttait.——Oblong, smooth, color white; vine grew four feet high;

‘ not desirable. Introduced by Peter Henderson & O0.

Lightning Express. — Large, oblong, smooth; color light red; vines
grew four feet high; very vigorous and healthy; a promising new variety.

M aggie M arphy-Good size, round to oblong, smooth; color light red;
vines grew four feet high; a desirable variety.

Sammtt.—Oblong, smooth; color white; vines grew four feet high; a
large yielder.

The Thorbarrt-Olalong, smooth; color dull white; resembles Queen;
vines grew three and a half feet high.

White Prize.—Good size, round to oblong, smooth; color dull white;
vines grew three feet high; grows good second crop.

W orldis Fair. -— Small, round to oblong, smooth; color white; vines
grew three and a half feet high.

LATE VARIETIES.

Bill Nye.—Oblong, smooth; color white; vines grew four feet high; not
a promising variety.

Catrmoa No. 1.——Oblong, smooth; color white; laeautiftil; vines grew
four feet high; keeps well. Much better than the following one, origi-
nated byE. S. Oarmon, editor Rural New Yorker.

Uarvnort N0. 3.—Oval, somewhat flattened, medium size, smooth; color
white; vines grew three and a half feet high. An even, smooth potato,

but it did not yield heavily last year. Originated by E. S. Cannon,

editor Rural New Yorker.

Clarh’s.—~Round to oblong, smooth; color light red; vines grew four
feet high.

DeZaware.—Round, very smooth; color white; vines grew four feet
high; keeps well; made low yield for second crop.

Early N0rt7ter.—Round to oblong, smooth; color dull white; vines
grew four feet high. Originated by W. P. Jerrard, Maine, 1887. Heavy
yielder.

Entpire State.—Oblong, smooth; inclined to grow uneven and small;
color white; vines grew four feet high.

Eoerettis H eaoy Weight. ——Round, small, smooth; color white; vines
grew three and one-half feet high; too small to be desirable.

Great Divider-Oblong, oval; color white; vines grew four feet high.
A beautlful potato, but it has not made a large yield. Originated by
F. B. Van Orman, Iowa.

I deaZ.—Oblong, a little rough; color light red; vines grew four feet
high; keeps well, but it is not promising for a second crop.

Irish Daisy/.—Round, small, smooth; color White; vines grew three
and one-half feet high. Has no great promise.

M oney M aher.—Oblong, rather small, smooth; color white; vines grew
four feet high. Very promising for second crop. Introduced by Edward
F. Dibble Seed C0,, Honeoye Falls, N. Y. A

Monroe Seedling.—-Oblong, small, smooth; color white; vines grew four
feet high.

Orphan.-—Bound to oblong, small and smooth; color white; vines grew

918 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

three and one-half feet high. Does not keep well. The most promising
variety in the test for second crop.

Pearl of Saooy.—Round t0 oblong, smooth; color light red; vines
grew four feet high.

Pricle of the West.——Round, smooth; color dull white; vines grew
three feet high. One of the poorest varieties in the test.

Peerless, Jr.——Round, somewhat flattened, smooth; color white and
beautiful; vines grew three feet high and very erect. Has peculiar nar-
row foliage, resembling that of Rural New Yorker No. 2. This new
variety was not promising in our test.

ltestaararit.—Oblong, inclined to grow small; color white; vines grew
four feet high. Made a large yield.

Ziaral New Y o/rher N0. 2.—-Round, somewhat flattened; color white;
vines grew three and one-half feet high. A large variety, but the yield
was not great.

Rochester Rose.—-—Oblong, slightly flattened; color light red; vines grew
three and one-half feet high. Made large yield. Seedling of Early
liose.

Saint Patrioh.—Oblong, inclined to grow small; color white; vines
grew four feet high. l

Show Drop.—-Round to oblong, slightly flattened; color white; vines
grew three and one-half feet high. Made a large yield.

State of Maine. —-Round, somewhat flattened, smooth; color white;
vines grew three and one-half feet high. Keeps well and is a promising
variety. '

Sitperior.——Oblong, rather small, smooth; color white; vines grew four
feet high. '

Varigaarcl.-—Oblong, inclined to grow small, smooth; color light red;
vines grew four feet high. Made a good yield.

White Elepharit.-—-Oblong, smooth, inclined to grow small; color white;
vines grew four feet high. This well known old variety did not make
a heavy yield.

White Star.—O_blong, smooth, inclined to grow small; color white;
vines grew three feet high.

Wonderful Clay Rose. —— Oblong to round, smooth; color light red;
vines grew three and one-half feet high. Not a desirable variety. Intro-
duced by Edward F. Dibble Seed Oo., N. Y.

APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS.

What kind of fertilizers to use and how much to apply to an acre of l’

Irish potatoes are questions frequently asked of the writer. To answer
these questions properly something must be known of the conditions
confronting the grower, such as soil and costliness of materials. Some
soils may be deficient in one thing and some others deficient in another.

.As a general rule, it may be stated that sandy loam soils are deficient in

potash and heavy clay soils are deficient in phosphoric acid. If the
grower has plenty of wood ashes, cotton seed hull ashes, or barnyard
manure, it will not pay to invest largely in commercial fertilizers at the
present costly rates in this State. However, it is advisable for the grower
to experiment for himself by using different fertilizers in different quan-
tities. The plan and results of our own fertilizer work along this line
may help the grower in this work.

THE IRISH POTATO. 919

The soil upon which our fertilizer test was made has the same char-
acteristics as that described for the varietal test. The same fertilizers
Were applied in the same quantities upon sweet potatoes during 1894.
It is interesting t0 note that
the fertilizer that made the
largest yield of sweet potatoes
has also made the largest yield
of irish potatoes, viz., 300
pounds of bone-black mixed
with 200 pounds potassium
sulphate for one acre. The
very costly fertilize-r, nitrate
of soda, which lowered the
yield of sweet potatoes, ‘has in
every instance lowered the
yield of irish potatoes below
the general average of the
three check plots. This result
was plainly foreshadowed
through the season of growth
by the much weaker growth
of vines on the plots which
contained nitrate of soda. The
fertilizers could not have in-
jured the seed, because they
were not put on until the
seed was covered with soil
about two inches. The fertil-
izers were then broadcasted
ov-er the row, and more soil
was thrown on by abroad
sweep. The attention of the
Station Chemist was called to
this effect of nitrate of soda
upon the growth, and some of
it was taken into the station
labora.tory and tested for acid,
but none was found. It was
bought of a very reliable firm,
and guaranteed to be first-
class. So far as our results
go, it seems plain that a fer-
tilizer that is best for sweet
potatoes is also best for irish
potatoes. It will be seen from
the table that cotton seed
meal was applied at a lo.ss.
The value of cotton seed meal
can not be so easily judged in
. one year, because the fertiliz-
ing ingredients are not so readily available to the plant in this organic
form as they are in the mineral form.

Potash, either in the form of muriate or sulphate, produced a paying
crop.

‘W1, "I 

No. 6—Cot-
No. 7—Composted barnyard manure and wood ashes, applied at the rate of

Fig. 1.
Y zelds from 50- foot rows, showing efiect of fertilizers : No. 1--Nitrate of soda, applied at the rate of 450 pounds per acre.
ton seed meal, applied at the rate of 500 pounds per acre. _ _
20,000 pounds per acre. No. 13—-Mixture of bone-black, 300 lbs., and potassium sulphate, 200 lbs., applied at the rate of 500 pounds per acre.

920 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

Bone-black was the best one-sided fertilizer. This fact indicates the
general lack of this soil for phosphoric acid.

The Triumph variety from our own second crop seed was used in the
fertilizer test, and was carefully cut to two eyes, the “seed end” being
rejected.

TABLE II. FERTILIZER TESTS.

g Calculated bushels per acre.
l? 5. ~ 1
- - l 111 I‘ SS
E Rate of fertilizer used per acre. o A H $61,201.;
O it) a g
o‘ r5 El o
Z i-l U) E1
1 460 lbs. sodium nitrate . . . . . . . . .. 217.80 1.27 219.07 $41.37 loss.
2150 lbs. potassium Illllrlate ..... .. 351.14 1.62 352.76 33.05 gain.
3 300 Tbs. bone-black . . . . . . . . . . . .. 353.92 0.94 354.86 35.01 gain.
4 200 Tbs. potassium sulphate . . . . . . 319.44 0.96 320.40 16.28 gain.
5 Nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 308.55 0.91 309.46 . . . . . . . . . ...
6 5'00 Tbs. cotton seed meal . . . . . . . . . 284.95 1.17 286.12 1.36 loss.
7 20 tons barnyard manure, com-
posted with wood ashes . . . . . .. 333.04 0.94 333.98 7.57 gain...
8 600 Tbs. special sweet potato fer- "
tilizer, prepared by Powell
Chemical Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 326.70 0.90 327.60 14.76 gain.
9 Nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 254.10 0.47 254.57 . . . . . . . . . . . .
l0 460 Tbs. sodium nitrate, 200 Tbs. i
potassium sulphate . . . . . . . . .. 225.06 0.44 225.50 41.17 loss.
11460 lbs. sodium nitrate, 150 Tbs.
potassium muriate . . . . . . . . . . 199.65 0.30 199.95 53.94 loss.
l2 460 Tbs. sodium nitrate, 300 Tbs.
bone-black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.10 0.68 234.78 36.45 loss.
13 300 Tbs. bone-black, 200 Tbs. potas-
sium sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363.00 0.94 363.94 35.05 gain.
14 460 Tbs. sodium nitrate, 300 Tbs.
bone-black, 200 Tbs. potassium
sulphate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 235.95 0.54 236.49 39.17 loss.
15 Nothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 271.50 1.00 . 272.50 . . . . . . . . . 
16 4360 Tbs. slaked lime . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272.25 0.41 272.66 24.42 loss.

The average of the three check plots is 278.84 bushels.

The potatoes Were valued at_50 cents per bushel.

The following rates per ton give the cost of the fertilizers laid down here in
small quantities: Sodium nitrate, $50; bone-black, $20; cotton seed meal, $20;
muriate, $40; sulphate, $45; lime, $10; barnyard manure, $1.

EXPERIMENTS IN STORING THE TUBERS.

Iieeping" irish. potatoes is the most important part of the work we
have undertaken on this vegetable, in my opinion. 1f some cheap and
easy method of keeping" were known, the cost of seed to plant would
at once become less and importations would soon greatly decrease, since
large crops can be grown in the State.

There are several things to contend with in keeping Irish potatoes
over summer in this warm and dry Southern climate. The crop matures
in early summer, and in this respect differs from the sweet potato, which
matures in the fall, and, therefore, is not difficult to keep over sums
mer. Two months of dry, hot weather usually follow after the crop
matures. If, in the meantime, rain falls, the conditions for decay are
made better. a

Blight frequently kills the vines and causes the crop to ripen pre-

THE IRISH POTATO. 921

maturely. Several species of fungi and bacteria take advantage of the
favorable conditions of temperature and moisture when the tubers are
put in piles in summer, and soon produce one soft putrid mass of the
Whole. We have been experimenting along this line for two years, and
While we can not at this time offer a safe and sure plan for keeping the
tubers, still, we can offer one Which has value. Many may be interested
in some tests Which have failed to give satisfactory results.

The French are reported to have a method of dipping the tubers in
a solution of sulphuric acid to kill the eyes and prevent them from
growing. We have tested this method along With others. On July 10th,
18941, When a small crop Was harvested, one-half bushel of the Triumph
variety was placed in each of seven trays for treatment. The first lot
Was not treated With anything. ‘The second Was treated With Bordeaux
mixture; third, slacked lime; fourth, immersed in sulphuric acid of 2
per cent solution for fifteen minutes; sixth, immersed in sulphuric acid
of 2 per cent solution for one hour; seventh, lime and sulphur spread
over the tubers. The trays Were then placed in partial darkness and
covered. In six weeks many of the tubers of each lot had decayed and
others Were sprouting. It was plain that the sulphuric acid solution
Was not strong enough to kill the eyes. There Were more sound tubers
in the seventh lot, Which had been well sprinkled with lime and sulphur.
While these materials gave partially good results, they were rated failures
under the conditions mentioned.

Large quantities Were placed in barrels containing dry sand. This
method proved a failure, as the tubers soon rotted. Tubers Were placed
two feet under ground and covered one foot deep with soil. Tiling was
run through the center to give ventilation. The tubers all rotted under
these conditions in six weeks. Tubers Were spread out on the ground
under partial shade and covered With hay about two inches deep, Where
they Were kept moist by being sprinkled With water from a hose. All
the varieties mentioned in this Bulletin Were treated in this manner,
and 50 per cent of some kept Well until the first of October. Enough
sound tubers of each variety Were obtained to be sent to the State Fair
held on the 19th of October, 1895. This method Would probably be
satisfactory if the temperature could be lowered to 4Z0 or 50 degrees, as
I have kept them in this Way in a State further north than Texas.

Several rows of the Triumph variety Were left in the experimental
plots as they grew and not dug. A turning plow was used to throw dirt
upon each row, and in that condition left until the 15th of the following
February. These tubers were examined on the 15th of August, and
about '7 5 per cent had kept Well, 50 per cent had decayed by the 1st of
September. Some sound potatoes were dug on the 15th of February.
Many of the tubers threw up vines after the fall rains came, and pro-
duced some small second crop potatoes.

All things considered, this was the best method of keeping so far
tested. in these experiments, but it is not satisfactory. By it the crop can
frequently be held four weeks without serious loss, reasoning from this
one experiment.

SECOND oRoP.
By second crop is meant potatoes which are grown late in summer-

and. fall from the potatoes which are dug early in the summer and
planted any time from last of July to last of August.

 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

The great value of this crop lies in the fact that it is easy to keep over
winter in Southern climates and, consequently, is in excellent condition
for planting in the spring. We have grown second crop potatoes for
four years and used them for planting. So far as our experience goes,
it seems safe to conclude that second crop potatoes are as good, if not
better, for planting than Northern grown seed. This fact will save the
importation of large quantities of Northern grown seed every year for
spring planting. Grouting second crop needs to be greatly encouraged in
the State. In some Southern States second crop potatoes have been
grown for twenty years. One grower writes that he has grown it in
Texas for fifteen years. At present, however, the grower who uses this
second crop for seed is the exception.

HOW TO GROW SECOND CROP.

The SOiZ.-—TT1€ best soil is, perhaps, a rich sandy loam kept in fine
tilth. The same soil upon which the spring crop grew can be used. If
this soil be not rich it would be better to use soil upon which no crop
grew and was ploughed two or three times during spring and summer,
so as to bring it into fine tilth by plowing and harrowing. Rows should
be made across it about three feet apart and four to six inches deep
just before it is ready for planting. As a general rule, the best time to
plant in this latitude is about the 15th of August. It is best to plant
after a rain when the ground comes into proper condition. We have
grown a good crop when planted on the 20th of July, after rain had
moistened the soil.

MANAGING TUBERS TO GROW SECOND CROP FROM.

The tubers that are to be used for a second crop seed should ripen
thoroughly before they are dug. If they be dug before maturity they
will not sprout so rapidly. After the tubers are dug they should be
spread out in. the sunlight for a day or two so that they will assume a
slightly green color. After this it is better to spread the tubers out on
the ground, in shade, and cover two or three inches with straw, hay, or
pine needles, and keep damp. Eyes of the early varieties will begin to
show signs of growth in about two weeks, when they are ready to be
planted. a

There is a difference of opinion as to the best size of tubers to. be
planted. Growers frequently use the small ones for this crop. Our
best results have been obtained by using large tubers and cutting them
to two eye-pieces and planting them immediately after being cut. Small.
potatoes have been harder to sprout. The pieces were dropped in the
rows previously mentioned and covered about three inches deep with a
plow. After growth took place more dirt was thrown on them. Level
culture was followed. During 1895, when the ground became very dry
i11 September, it was irrigated. If irrigation be used there is no reason
why one should fail to grow a second crop. However, if the tubers be
planted in the trenches mentioned, a fair crop can be grown during most
any season. y ~

There are a few biting insects which are apt to injure the second crop.
These can be easily killed by using some form of the arsenical com—
pounds for spraying mentioned in our Bulletin No. 36.

" THE IRISH POTATO. 923

This far South, we have let the second crop stay in the ground where
it grew till wanted for planting in the spring, and it kept nicely. We
have also dug a part of the crop and stored it away in sand kept in the
potato house described in Bulletin No. 36, Where it kept practically

without loss.

DISEASES OF THE IRISH POTATO..

Both the vines and the tubers are subject to disease. Frequently
fungus diseases attack the vines and cause premature ripening, thereby
lowering the yield and diminishing the keeping quality. A few of the
diseases we have had to fight against will be mentioned here. a

Fig. 2.—Early Leaf Bligltt.

EARLY BLIGHT (Macrosporium s0Zan1I).-—T his fungus disease confines

its attacks to the leaves and stems. The following description of the
appearance of the disease is here given as made by Prof. B. T. Galloway:
“At first the older leaves show greenish-brown spots, the affected parts
becoming hard and brittle. The disease progresses rather slowly, the
spots gradually becoming larger, especially along the edges of the leaf-
lets. At the end of ten days ‘or two weeks half of the leaf surface may
be brown, withered and brittle, while the rest is a pale yellow color.

924 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

Three weeks or a month may elapse before all the leaves succumb, the
stems in the meantime remaining green, until they finally perish through
lack of nourishment. The tubers stop growing almost as soon as the
leaves are attacked, and as a result the crop is practically Worthless.”
'l‘his is the most serious disease we have had here. Some varieties are
attacked much more severely than others. The disease has spread here
much more rapidly during dry weather than during wet weather.

Experiments were undertaken last year in trying to prevent this dic-
ease with Bordeaux mixture, but this powerful fungicide had no effect
upon the disease. Unsprayed rows by the side of the sprayed ones were
just as healthy. Spraying was commenced when the vines were about
six inches high, just before the disease appeared, and repeated every ten
days or two weeks afterwards. Spraying followed every rain. Our com-
mon formula was used, which has given marked results in preventing in-
jury done by fungus diseases to the grape, the blackberry and other
fruits. A part of the same mixtures were used in 1894 on blackberrv
foliage, and the results were highly beneficial. Where the foliage of
the blackberries was not sprayed with it the brown spot fungus soon
spread over the entire leaves and defoliated the canes early in the season.
The formula used was 2 pounds copper sulphate, 2% pounds unslacked
lime, and 25 gallons of water. Perhaps this mixture was not strong
enough for this fungus, as beneficial results have been reported from the
use of bordeaux as well as negative results from some other places. This
work will be enlarged the present season.

Fig. 3.—Late Blight.

THE IRISH POTATO. 925

LATE BLIGHT (Phytoptlwra ivzfestcwzs).——'l‘liis fungus disease, which
has do11e much injury to the vines i11 the Northern a11d Eastern States,
has 11ot been observed here. Since it occurs late i11 the season and at a
daily mean temperature of '72 to '74 degrees Fahrenheit for a consider-

able time followed by moist weatl1er, it may never do much damage in

this State, since the climatic conditions are different. Bordeaux n1ix-
ture is said to give good results when used for this disease.

Fig. 4.—-P0tat0 Scab.

POTATO SoAB (Oospom scobies, ThaX.).—-It is not our object to enter
into a discussion of the cause of scab, as exhaustive studies have been
made of it by three Experiment Stations. There seem to be three causes
of scab, a fungus, a bacterium and an insect. Fortunately, however,
the same treatment seems to be equally efieetive for all. The corrosive
sublimate treatment has been used here successfully.

This treatment consists in dissolving 1 ounce of corrosive sublimate
(mercuric bichloride) in 7% gallons of water, and immersing the uncut
tubers therein for one and a half hours. To make it, dissolve 1 ounce
of the poison in two gallons of l1ot water placed in a bucket, then pour
it into a barrel and put in 5% gallons more water. The potatoes may be
suspended in a coarse sack hung in the barrel. Corrosive sublimate is
a deadly poison and should be handled with great care. This treatment
sometimes kills the eyes and lowers the stand.

Recently Professor Byron D. Halsted has proven that sulphur is a
better preventive of scab than corrosive sublimate when used at the
rate of 300 pounds per acre. Freshly cut tubers were rolled in the
sulphur and some was also sprinkled along in the rows.

There are two precautions which should be observed in reference to
scabby potatoes: first, no scabby ones should be used for planting;
second, ground which grew scabby potatoes should not be planted again
for sometime.

926 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

Fig. 5.——D¢y Rot.

DRY RoT (Fusarium s0Zant).—This disease appears on the tubers in
the form of a dark brown spot which is sunken beneath the surface of
the potato. It is nearly circular, and gradually spreads over the entire
surface. The disease spreads more rapidly if the tubers be kept moist.
We have found no remedy for this disease. There are a number of dis-
eases which cause decay ‘of tubers that we have at present no remedy for.
If the tubers be well matured and be kept in a moderately moist atmos-.
phere with low temperature the loss from them will be greatly obviated.