Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-05
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY ), 1889.
POTATOES.

POTATOES.
The Importance of the potato, both ir'sn
and Sweet, as an article of human i0"d' Is
developing itself from year to year 10y the
greatly increased consumption, by all class
es of our population. both in city and eoun-
try. We, therefore, think 1t appropriate I"
offer few suggestions upon the cultivation
of both. 's '' o.
The Irish potato. from its hardness and
the ease with which it may be kept during a
great portion ofthe year, is Of the first imp"r-
lance. The varieties that are of the best
flavor and other good qualities for the table,
are Neshannoc, Baltimore Blue. and hi'e
Snow Ball The first named greatly prefer
able. On rich soi no other will produce II
having crop. The Blue will succeed better
ON thin land than any other variety we know
of, but does not command as good price III
market, although of excellent quality. The
time for planting the main crop IL just rs soon
in the spring az the ground can be worked.
If it is not too cold to handle the potato in
dropping The universal experience in our
vicinity is in favor Of the earliest planted,
vet we would recommend for family use to
plant Il small piece Of ground about the first
Of June.
The crop. planted at that time, is very
uncertain one, yet their great superiority
for the table, when they do succeed. conpen-
safes for tine risk. They are not only greatly
superior in quality. but will keep much lon
ger and iii sounder condition.
Prepare the ground by good deep plow-
ing and narrowing then mark off the rows
,! feet apart, with turning Tor mould
boardJ plow, and drop the small potatoes
tor large ones cut about foot apart in the
rows--do not let them lie exposed to the sun
too long before covering, by throwing the
earth upon them with pillow. one iurrow to
each row, which will leave the field in rid
ges; az soon as the shoots beg i'm to appear
by cracking the surface take double har-
row and run lengthways of the row, If the
soil is light if not, run crossways, 80 as to
level the ridges completely: don't mind if
the harrow should pull up one occasionally.
YOU will save the hoeing the whole crop
by it; as soon IA you can see the plants Gle
verify along the row, take a eultivator and
run as near the plants as possible without
covering them up; if this is properly done,
the remaining work is very little; about the
time they begin 10 bloom, throw the earth T.
the vines slightly, with plow, and the cult
walton is complete.
In the cultivation ofthe Sweet potatoe, it
is necessary to put them in hot bed to
sprout. When the sprouts are two or three
inches high, OF about the middle of May
plant out in ridges about four feet apart
made by throwing up we'll prepared soil with
double pillow, four burrows together; and it
will rarely be necessary to use hoe, ifyou
have a good pillow. Set the plants pretty
deep, about fifteen inches apart; when the
ridge. becomes hard or grassy, scrape down
with sharp hoe the surface on the top, so
that you can completely clean it by running
the bar of small mould board pillow to the
ridge and throwing the earth to the centre
As soon as the vines begin to run, or
are foot or so long, throw the dirt again to
the ridges. The best plan to do this is to
take every other row and turn the vines into
the next one, 80 that there will be no danger
of covering them up. This finishes the cul.
tivation, as the rapid growth of the vines will
shade and keep the ground clean.
Harvest before hard frost, by cutting off
the vines on top of the ridges with hoe or
scytho, aud turning them on each side; cover
with pillow by throwing the dirt from the
ridge, as in the first blowing; this leaves q
narrow ridge standing with the potatoes,
which can be easily broken and the potatoes
taken out rapidly. Don't pitch them in
piles or in baskets, for that breaks the skin
and bruises them, and they will not keep so
well; but lay them down gently, and let them
take the sun and air for few hours before
housing. Journal.