Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-05-11
Aaritnltural.
porAToEs-rHEIR CULTIVATION.


PorAToEs-THEIR CULTIVATION.
A writer in the Harrisburg Telegraph gives
the following instructions and advice regard
ing the cultivation of the potato, now the
most valuable article in the whole catalogue
OF escelents:
The potato crop is one Of great value and
importance 10 the farmer. Perhaps we may
assert-and without rendering ourself amena-
ble to the change of extravance, that il is the
crop from which, when judiciously managed
the hand Of cultivation realizes its richest and
most valuable rewards.
True we hear much in commendation oil
the beet, the turnip, carrot and parnips, and
thesd unquestionably possess very high de-
gree of value, and, under favorable circum-
stances, may be cultivated with considerable
profit, but the potato, from its peculiar habits
of growth, lis hardness and great afiluence
of nutritive matter in proportion TO its mass,
has, think, after all, a legitimate and indis-
putable claim TO superior consideration The
subsdence of the singular disease which has
of late years so extensively injured this valu-
able production, both in this country, and in
Europe, gives occasion for the pleasing hope
that the annihlation Of 1t is not TO be any
longer feared. Though, in particular locali-
ties, and under the influence of peculiar and
erroneous systems of culture, if may reap
pear, or continue, yet, that IFS ravages will
be increased, as some have imagined, till the
expense of cultivatng will equal or exceed
the value of the crop cannot see any reason
to believe or fear.
AT all events, its prevalence has not thus
far, operated TO the injury of the farming or
producing classes, inasmuch as the dimnu-
tion Of crop, has more than been counter-ba-
lanced by the increase of the price. This
will be at once apparent, of we reflect that
in those sections where potatoes were sold
previous TO the advent Of the 'rot,' or plague,
for len cents per bushel, they have since its
prevalence, brought from fifty 10 oseventy-ive.
To The producers, therefore, It's prevalence
has been blessing rather than a disadvan-
tage, and the consumer, whose circumstances
make him purchaser, is the only one that
should complain. For stock feeding, the po-
are considerable, it is easily raised, and may
be led ,rhole; characteristics which do moi
appertain TO any other vegetable of the roo,
tribe that can be named. Besides, it is par.
iial to no particular soil, growing equally well
with proper management, on all. AS TO the
best, most successfu and most economical
mode of cultivation there exists great discre.
pancies of opinion among both theoretical
and practical men.
For many years have been in the habit
of raising this vegetable, and in order 10 as.
certain the most philosophical system, have
varied my practice so as to embrace almost
the entire list Of theories which have beer
made acquainted with either by oral inslruc
ion, or suggestion, or by the press. The sys.
tenn, however, which have found most
successful, is the following:
As soon, as the grass has well grown in the
spring, or has made sufficient crop 10 insure
considerable degree Of enrichment TO the
soil when turned in, introduce the plough
and invert the sward with deep and even
fnrrow. ! then take on heavy roller, and
traverse The piece in the same direction taken
by the plough, passing sufficiently often over
the surface TO ensure degree Of smoothness
such as will favor the operation of the har.
Tow, which pass both lougitudnally and
transversely until the surface is reduced TO a
fine and proper tilth The manner is then
carted on, and spread about eight carts to
the statute acre, and narrowed in. Furrows
are then drawn for the seed, which is depo.
sited with plaster, one gill to each hill, and
the whole covered with the hoe.
As soon as the plants appear, dressing oi
gypsum and house ashes, or lime, mixed
thoroughly in the proportion of half and half,
is applied directly around the hills, say a
large spoonful 10 EACH This is repeated after
hoeing, and when the blossoms appear, one
bushel of gypsum 10 the acre is sown broad
cast by the hand when 1.-The foliage it wei
with dew, or just before night, if the weather
be calm. In this simple manner, ! have
succeeded in raising excellent crops, yea
after year, in despite of drought and "rot.'
II the soil, at the time Of planting, be wet
the roller will better be dispensed with Or
lands also which have much alumina in thei
textures, and which consequently from con
stiiutional error, are liable or evince ten
dency 10 consolidate, or become vscid, o
plaster in wet weather, ii had better not b,
applied, as by its action, the evil results o
extreme moisture or actual wetness will b
increased.
have practised the above method, wit
only such slight variations as appeared TO b
demanded by the difference Of the consti,u
lional texture, on almost every description {
soil, and with equally fortunate results, o
sandy lands, the roller consider indispenss
bic. Its action, when it is of proper for
and weight, produces degree of consolid;
tion which is highly requisite 10 their success