The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-04-25
From the Southern Farmer.


CULTURE OF THE IRISH POTATO.
MEssRs. EDIToRs I'm view Of the
very high prices which the Irish potato
has commanded for several years past,
and which is now selling in the Rich
mond and Petersburg markets for about
two and half dollars per bushel, it is
matter Of surprise that our farmers
do not pay more attention to the cul-
tivation OF this valuable and almost in
dispensable esculent. When the sea-
son is suitable, there is scarcely any
production of the earth which IS grown
in this region, that might be raised to
greater profit. 1t is true that the sea-
sons are not always favorable to the
yield Of large crop, but good prepa-
ration and good culture win 20 very far
to remove every difficulty. The early
crop-that which is usually planted in
February, and comes to maturity in
June-is nearly always an abundant
one ; and the tubers are Of good quail
ty. The management Of the late or
fall crop requires more skill and it is
for this that propose to offer some di-
rections, which, if you think they are
OF any value, you are at liberty to pub
lish IN the Southern Farmer.
The great obstacle TO success in this
climate is the drought which usually
prevails during the month of July, from
the 10th TO the last. Previously to the
10th there is not often deficiency Of
rain, and from the first to the end of
August il is very seldom we suffer from
drought. September, again, is dry
month. All experienced observers Of
the weather will be at no loss to recog-.
] nize the accuracy OF this statement.
The conditions to be fulfilled, then,
are sufficiently obvious. The potato
must be planted at such time that the
tubers shall make their growth during
the month of August. Ii made before
July, they will not be Of good quality
in the winter, after remaining in the
ground during the heat Of summer, or
under any other mode Of treatment.
If planted so late as to postpone the
perfection of the crop till the middle
or latter part of September, there will, /,
in the majority of seasons, be complete
failure. These conditions, then, re-
quire that the crop should be planted
during the first ten days Of June.
The soil best adapted TO the potato
is mellow loan. A sandy soil will
answer for an early crop, but il is too
thirsty for late one. A stiff soil is
unfayorable at all times. The land
should be well ploughed and re plough.
ed, and reduced TO as fine tilth as
possible. 1t is not necessary that il
I should have been previously madeyery
!, rich, but the crop requires liberal
application Of manure at the time oi
planting, or shortly before. IL farm
ward manure is used, il il best TO ap-
ply il early in the spring, and thorough
" incorporate il with the soil by re-
peated ploughings. Ifguano--and tie
!. writer Of this believes there is nothing
: better--the application should be made
!. in the drill or lurrow, at the time oI
planting, at the rate Of pound TO eve.
G ~ ten Yards Of running measure. The
: furrow should be made deep enough
\ by laying oil with single horse plough
!. and returning in the same furrow, {,
, admit Of the guano being covered e
e the depth Of an inch, before planting
g the potato sets. Ii is, TO great ex'
= tent, destructive TO the vitality Of th,
!. seed, when brought in contact with 81
: caustic a manure. The burrows shoul,
.. be laid of three feet apart, and thl
cuttings planted twelve inches in th
row, every one with the skin side up
and placed with all practicable rcgula
rity. II planted nearer, the potatoe
will be smaller, without any aggregat
J, gain in the measure. BE careful 10 SC
lert good variety, and save your Ow
seed afterwards. There is no necess
II for frequent changes. The write
- has seen potatoes raised on the sal
! farm, and from the same stock, Ill
smaller ones being always used u
Is, planting. for number Of years in sue
y. cession, without any deterioration j
nd size or quality. Good treatment an
e good culture is Of far more importanc
n. than any thing else.
d, In preparing the cuttings for plan
ing, a few simple directions may n,
be amiss. Let the potato be taken
= the left hand, with The base or root en-
next the thumb, and the forefnger O
the crown. With a sharp knife tak
on "a piece with an eye on il, cuttir
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