The average beet last year weighed 17 ounces, this year 20 ounces. The second year's growth contained less sugar than the first. Probably the thinner stand caused by the wet weather of 1897 affected quality favorably.

A good grade of sugar beet may be grown in Vermont. This is not all that is needed, however, to make the manufacture of sugar feasible. The limitations to success in this state are restricted area, a short growing season and early winters. Hence it will be difficult, if not impossible, to establish the industry here, since in states further south and west such conditions do not prevail.

III. INSECTICIDES, ETC

The following preparations used for the purpose named have been analysed.

Herbicide

65.85

The difference between "green arsenite" and ordinary paris green seemed to be one of name only.

"Laurel green,' ," a manufacturing by-product as sold in 18981 consisted mainly of calcium carbonate and of copper, iron and aluminum oxides. It contained but 2 per cent of arsenic.

"Bug death" was found to be roughly three fourths zinc oxide, one eighth lead oxide and one eighth iron and alumina oxides and sand.

I It is claimed by the manufacturers to be notably richer in arsenic this year (1899).

The "herbicide" proved to be a concentrated solution of some alkaline arsenite, probably sodium arsenite.

For the results of the practical application of these materials the reader is referred to the report of the botanist on pages 154-155 of this volume.

IV. FERTILIZERS AND FERTILIZING MATERIALS

Several analyses of fertilizers, mostly home mixtures, have been made with results as given below. The practicability of this method of getting plant food has been abundantly shown in previous publications1 and need not be further discussed.

Ashes are quite largely bought in Vermont, particularly in the lower Connecticut valley. The analyses of 28 samples are given in the following table:

I Vt. Sta. Buls. 47, 65, 71.

The samples from New Haven and Stamford are limekiln ashes. The former is remarkably rich in potash for this class of material.

Twenty-six samples, said to be unleached, varied from 3.24 to 9.76% soluble potash, 3.66 to 10.05% total potash 1.06 to 3.41% total phosphoric acid, 19.92 to 55.80% lime and averaged 5.27, 6.05, 1.68, 34.82 percents respectively in the same ingredients.

Considered as a source of potash only they are expensive goods at ruling prices. It should be remembered, however, that the good results often obtained by their use are quite as apt to be due to their mechanical effect upon the soil or to their lime content, as to the potash they contain. If 4 cents a pound is allowed for soluble potash and for phosphoric acid in average ashes, costing $10 a ton delivered-which is not far from the average price throughout Vermont-it makes the lime cost 54 cents a hundred, which is quite an advance on the price for lime in Vermont markets. Hence it may be fairly questioned whether at ruling prices average ashes are as cheap as sources of potash, phosphoric acid and lime as are muriate of potash, acid phosphate and lime.

The well-known wide variation in the plant food content of muck is shown in the table. The first sample of waste absorbed 69 per cent of its weight of water and might be used to advantage as an absorbent. The、 so-called "prepared manure” seems to have been "prepared" by mixing about three pounds of soil with one pound of manure. It contains less plant food than does average barn yard manure.

REPORT OF THE BOTANISTS

L. R. JONES AND W. A. ORTON

Most of the time in this department has been given to the study of plant diseases and their prevention. The topics in these and other lines in which the work has reached a stage to justify publication are indicated below.

Three additional subjects have received considerable attention, namely, a bacterial rot of carrots and other vegetables, the agricultural grasses and the phenemena of maple sap pressure and flow. It is not deemed expedient to discuss these studies in their present state of incompletion.

The subjects which are discussed are placed in following order:
Potato diseases and their remedies.

III. Studies on the time and rate of development of the potato

tuber.

Apple diseases and their remedies.

I.

Spraying for the prevention of the apple scab.

II. The brown spot disease of apples.

A second partial list of the parasitic fungi of Vermont.
Killing weeds with chemicals.

POTATO DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES

I. POTATO DISEASES AS THEY OCCURRED IN 1898

The season was more favorable for potatoes than that of 1897, but the yields at Burlington were not large even with the best locations and culture. This was chiefly due to a period of drought in midsummer, there being but little rainfall between the middle of July and the middle of August. As a result practically all potatoes on light soils died during this period with the characteristic symptoms of tip-burn, while those more favorably situated suffered severely. The general appearance of tip-burn in such potato fields during the latter part of July closely following the attacks of the main brood of the flea beetles again emphasizes the close relationship which has been observed heretofore between the injuries of this insect and the "burning" of the foliage. The extent of the damage done by the flea beetle, especially in dry seasons, is generally underestimated.

The plants sprayed with bordeaux mixture were relatively exempt from the flea beetle attacks and also showed comparatively little tip-burn.