Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-04-08
IRISH POTATOES.

10 tAe hdstors q the Tennessee Stale Agrscui-
turist:
GESrLEmEN.-I have seen several pieces in
your valuable paper, on the cultivation of the
Irish Potatoe, and 70 correct an almost universal
error, that our farmers and gardeners (tIIose at
oast living near the river) have fallen into, reIn
tive to the seed Of the article, and to give the re-
suit OF thorough experience, ask careful pc
rusal Of this. And lst. have been raising for
six years from the same seed, and that Of The
product OF at least ] year out from Memphis.
whore we all bay here) they had much depreci.
ated, kat having no alternative, bought and plan
ted. the seede improved and contiaued 70 improve
until they had become at least as good as the
original seed. Tor bettar) and last year raised as
fine as have ever bcen sold at Memphis. not only
large but Of good quality, in common parIance
dry and mealy.
The first and most important thing connected
with the production of good potatoes is the choo-
sing the seed ; my plan is to pick the medium size,
viz: from the size Of duck egg to that of the
goose egg, the smoothest, healthest and those en-
tirely clear Of protubennces. The largest size
cut in too once, the less do not cut, neither do
plant small potatoes, they are worth more to the
COWS or hogs than for seed. Potatoes ought not
to be planted below the surface Of the ground /;
no advantage in breaking the land before planting.
unless the ground is very hard from troading Of
row with small sho.st( ball tonguc) drop tho po-
tatoes to IL inches apart cover quite thick with
old broken straw from about The stuck yard, what
Is called rubbage, including half rotten corn usks,
straw. &c. Then make quito bed ON them with a
turning plough or S inches deep. Hogs hair is
Infinitely better than any thing elso ever tried.
Stable manure will not do Mt all; any dry or hall
rotten'vegotabe substance will answer better than
manu-e, corn stalks or corn cobs. A loose Light
icfSIl 1rf~ L t:xtu-
e the best. Litter prevents from getting hard
For early potatoes plant in February. tho round
shaped biue potatoe. which, plant, think the
best variety. They win do for either early o.
late Juno for late.) Those planted in February
ought 70 be taken up so soon tho vines die en-
tirely, 70 prevent a secondary growth, (in case o
much wet weather in ths latter part Of summer, !,
and either buried tos deep to yegesate, or placed
IN dry cool airy place where tho sun cannot af.
iect them. will say in conclusion, fearless Of
successful contradiction, if tho above method is
pursued, that every man may have good tc
plant OF his own raising as no can buy from the
north. Thousands Of dollars have been paid ou
for want Of a little attention and care. an
farming single handed and alone. and therefore
make the best Of limited means; raise what suit.
this climate, only depending on tho South foI
groceries am well apprised that it is tho opin.
ion OF mrs,y judicious farmers, that we in Missis
sippi, cannot raise good Irish Potatoes 2 or
years from the same seed. and the simple reason
i is, they let them remain too long in ground, anc
then plant the smalieA kind. Not accustomed t
writing much. cannot thing of copying of, but
did not writa for the critick, only for tho farme
and gardener, and Mossrs. Editors, you may dis
pose Of this as suits your own views best.
could give several, what call useful hints if ! be
lieved they would be heeded; but enough.
a Yours Respectfully,
4 Marshall Co., Mics. E. Nc.