The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-27
AaRICULTURAL.
Culture Of the Potato,


is recommended d adopted by L. C. Roberts.
In order to raise healthy potatoes the seed
root must be healthy. II We follow the laws
Of nature. we would say let your potatoes re-
main in the ground during the entire year. in
stead of storing them in your cellars for FIVE
or six long months. II is strongly commended
that the disease commences with the old tuber
that it undergoes process of fermentation.
and as necessary consequence. the stalks
wilt and throw off very noxious and un
wholesome gas. The cause Of this disease
seems to be transgression of . natural law.
Nature designed the earth A. the place for
roots, and man has made . great mistake in
not allowing them to remain there but about
half the year. Potatoes deteriorate rapidly
in quality by keeping them out Of the ground;
and by adopting this course Of culture for
years. the root loses some Of its component
and vital parts, SO that. in the course of time,
it has become enfsebled and lost its native
vgor.
Mr. Roberts gives the following directions:
ITO get seed roots. select one fourth acre of
arabic land. ION which water will not stand, J
oman eastern slope. new land is the best for
this use. fit early in the spring; furrow four or
f'e inches deep. and two feet spart. Select
seed roots that are about the size Of . hens
egg, that have touched the ground during the
previous winter. Do not cut them; drop one
every six or eight inches apart. in the burrows;
cover them by filing the burrows. and then
put top dressing Of two inches Of straw, or
forest leaves on each row. When the tops
two inches high. pass between the rows
with shovel pillow; follow with . hoe destroy
ing the weeds. and leveling the ground, do not
hill. You have nothing more to do until fall.
when the ground begins to freeze; then cover
with half rotten straw. chaf forest leaves,
three or four inches deep. Your potatoes will
now have a chance to ripen and rest during
the winter.
shall now direct you in planting for Gu
linary use, next season. The spring follow
iny. before your potatoes sprout. you will
plant another seed patch. rs above directed.
You will now take the residue. and plant .
ield crop for culinary use. Plant in drills.
four or five inches deep. and three feet apart:
drop potato every eight or ten inches. cover
by filling the burrows: cultivate or hoe twice.
In this way you will get the greatest yield.
and best quality. Continue similar practice
from year to year. and from my own expert
ence, l believe you will find your potatoes
yearly increasing in yield and quality.
The third year you may increase your field
crop. by blowing in fine manure. You have
now had nature course pointed out 10 you.
her laws truths; and humbly believe.
have given them just exposition. All who
follow my directions. win the second year. see
many seed balls. on the vines in their seed
patch. These may be planted in the fall as
have done. and cultivated carefully. and good
will undoubtedly result from it ii pursued in
natures own way The potato will grow wild
in our forests if planted in them. and thus
save those the trouble (who wish to get the
wild root.) of resorting to their native forests
in South America Finally. We may apply
natures laws proftaby to most other products.
Seed of every variety. should be fully ma,ur-
ed i. e. not harvested until fully ripe. That
which approaches the nearest to perfection
should be selected for seed. and al roots for
seed purposes, should remain in the ground.
where they grew. until they bear seed; this
course will make the seed mature earlier and
make it the most perfect Of its kind"
Iconsider Mr.. RS theory of great impor
lance. shall thoroughly try it. and hope
others will J.W. DICKINSON.
Hiksdale. Mieh