The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-20

From the Cravfordsvilis Kev.es
TO Have Early and Large Irish Potatoes.

70 Have Early and Large Irish Potatoes.
A friend Of ours-a man Of much expert
snce and observaiion-has lately informed US
IF the best plan we have heard OF. to raise
Irish potatoes, large and economically. and to
nave Them plent:fully II rs follows: Sc
.ees a rich piece of ground. Of the size you
wish for your patch or field. to be planted in
hem. II not sufficiently rich. make j. so by
nanuring with some appropriate kind Of ma
nure. Then break up well and deep. with
good strong turn plough and team enough.
Cross break or plough il if necessary; and
then harrow over until all the clods are well
pulverized. Have your potatoes now ready
for planting. Take the same large turn
plough and begin on one side of your ground.
Open with it as wide and deep furrow or
along af er your plough. some or I2 inches
apart. Now take back your plough To the
same end Of the row or furrow. and with it
cover the potatoes in the trench you have al
ready made. dropping potatoes again in this
new trench after your plough as you go. Then
lake back your plough. cover and drop again.
IS YOU did before. or you may II you choose.
begin in the middle, instead Of on one side Of
your ground-running trench or furrow di-
rectly through the middle. then drop. then re-
turning cover with the plough. dropping after
it to the end, then round on the other SIDE
back again dropging on after the plough
then returning on the other side, covering
with the plough and dropping after it. and
thus, on. up and down. first on one side Of
the middle or beginning furrow and then on
tie other. until done. This W II save the
trouble Of carrying the plough back all the
time.
Now after all your potatoes planted.
fha tpIa afch
sfraw, to the depth of at least 2 or 3 inches.
TIE economy is bsih in quantity Of ground and
cultivation. One haif-or perhaps even
foph-of an acre Of land. will produce as
much as a whole acre, cultivated in the usual
manuer-an important consideration with
those who have but little land 10 cultivate
and of larger. better potatoes; and they will
require no cultivation whatever. All you
have to dois, to prepare and plant your ground.
and cover it over with straw as above. When
you commence digging for use or housing,
begin on one side Of your ground, cleaning
Oh the straw and vines from the surface as you
proceed. The whole ground will be found
filed with potatoes growing in every direction
We are here speaking Of spring paintings
To have them early prepare your ground.
plant &c, as aforesaid. but in the (uH, say in
November, you can have them much earlier
ia TINS way than any other But In either
case--the latter particulary--if you discover
the tops Of your vines begin to appear befor-
all danger Of frost in spring is over. put on a
little more straw. The advantages of the
straV are obvious. and several. 1t keeps the
earth moist beneath it. thus obviatiag the e.
feet OF drouth. prevents grass and weeds from
growing. thus saving the necessity Of any
cultivation; and. in winter, protects the fall
planting, from cold and frosts. You may be-
gin to use them in the spring or summer. as
soon as they become large enough.