Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-04-30
Potatoes.

/ have planted large aud small seed at
the same time and in the same field, and
had as large and fine yield from the very
smallest refuse seed, as from my largest pO-
tatoes. My advice to farmers would be
this When potatoes are abundant aud
cheap, plant fair, medium sized seed; when
potatoes are high, sell or use those that
are perehaatabLs, and plant the small ones.
Planting the largest potatoes will not in
crease the crop either in size or quantity.
But ] would not ail0ays recommend plant
ing the smallest potatoes, as that m ghl
eventually prove injurious to the crop. But
/ have for several years in succession plant.
ed seed no larger than walnuts without the
least perceptible dimlnntioD in The yield
In fact my last years crop from the small
est refuse seed which no one would buy,
was equal to that from my best seed
I have planted whole and cut seed
I think it will make no difference in
the crop, except by cutting, we reduce
the number of eyes planted, in which Gaze
the yield will be increased. We are apt 10
plant too many eyes and allow too many
vines to grow. Now in relation to the
rot. use great deal of lime on my po-
tatoe ground, sometimes putting it into the
bill when planting, at other times throwing
it upon the ground broadcast after blowing,
and then narrowing little to mix it with
the soil. The specific gravity of lime be-
ing greater than that Of the soil, its ten
dency is TO work downwards. But gener-
ally use it composted with humus or veg
etable deposit, putting shovel full into
each bill Twenty-Five or thirty bushels Of
quick lime per acre, if put into the bill,
deem q good dressing. and double that
quantity II sown broadcast Some think
over do the matter and use too much at a
time A little soda will change the acidi-
ty Of the stomach, too much will produce
sickness. i have planted with potatoes
enc piece OF ground-a clayey loam-for
five years in succession, using lime freely
every year, and have lost but very few with
the rot, and invariably have had q good
yield. Iplant early and dig early, aud in
dry weather. The potatoes are picked
very soon after digging, and put where they
can be kept somewhat In the dark, and
yet have 8 good ventilation. They are
evenly spread, from twelve to fourteen inch
cs thick, and Immediately covered with
quick lime. using about ten bushels Of lime
70 one hundred Of potatoes. But more is
better STILL Ia the course Of q week or
Ten days they win sweat considerably.
They are then turned with q wooden
shovel and more lime put on if deemed
necessary. 10 Order that oil moisture may
bs absorbed They are subsequently sepa-
rated from the lime by hand or common
screen and removed to the cellar, and put
into bins where they will remain all winter
wiihout sweating or requiring any turning
or trouble whatever. The lime is carefully
collected and saved for nse In the spring
AhaVe hardly lost hushel Of potatoes by
the rot IN nine years after they were gath
cred and covered with lime. Besides this
they are better for table use. being render
ed dry and mealy, 10 nay opinlan, by the
action of lime, which also takes from them
Al lho naaseous smell which fhey usaalIy
Ffodnees h fhe cellar
Corrt.pasdsnt % ~ Country Gtas. :