The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-12

.VVEET POTATO CULTURE.

S.,.c, roIl;nc ground. mellow and warm. Coo
.", so;Is w;ll no, do. Good " second years "
.,,.nd n that We generally prefer for field crops
n h,, no too barren knobs, well MANFRED.
49,. GOOD New lands, il dry, produce bountlfui
100 NJ fine quality. Msnuring in the hill or
.;S,. !. hest where the land is not in first rate
,;,6. Plox shallow furrow, put the manure IN,
and throw up a ridge over it. The sell IN Al
c.srs must be we'll worked and finely puverizeo.
Throw two heavy burrows together, forming nign
,;aves. Three and a half feet apart, from center
IN center. i, a proper distance. They may De
made With hoe by hand labor, on small scale.
And if ridying with pillow does not work 1eii'
the ridges should be finished up with hoe.
Ridsing should, if possible, be done when the
so;l !, mos, on top, a. then you vii get no dry
dirt in the centre Of the ridge. as would De the
c,ss were the surface soil dry. Never work u
when heavy or muddy. Just before planting 10
the bas, time il il can be arranged thus
n the soil within the ridge is quite moist you
can plant all day with safety, providing the soil
next the roots is properly pressed. and the plants
not wilted before planting. they may wilt IN the
sun If it is shining but If the work IS properly
done they will revive at shutdown, and never wilt
again. Keep the roots moist and the tops sha
ded until planted. A boy With bucket to car
ers. Two men and boy may thus plant acre
Der day. II YOU have not many to plant, choose
the afternoon or evening for planting. II the
ground gets too dry to plant without water. and
il is important to proceed with the work, It may
be used Plant and press as usual, but leave
cavity about the plant, into which pour pint O
water Immediately after planting, before they
wilt. Afterwards, when the water has well soak
cd avay, and the leaves are dry, pass along ant
pull some dry dirt over the wet place TO proven
baking.
Plant an inch or more deeper than they stoo'
in the bed, 80 that the stems Of the lower leave
may be covered, a. then they will sprout again
il Gu. by frost or worms. II the plants are yer!
long, put in rather more obliquely so that th'
ofoot of the pant will not be too tar removed iron
the surface, say not more than three inches IN
der. In ridges, plant 10 inches apart-requirin:
about 1900 per acre. In hills, one plant .!
each-about 1000 per acre. Plant from th'
18th OF May until the middle OF June. Oh as early
a. safe from frost.
After Cuiture-About ten days after planting
commence stirring the ground to prevent th'
growth Of weeds. Hoe often enough to keep the
weeds down. BE careful not to strike with sharI
hoes so near the plant to cut of young potatoes
When the vines commence running, pass com
mon adjustable cultivator between the ridges
tearing dOwa the sides some what, and follow will
. shovel pillow to replace it. Bring the dirt to
wards the plants in hoeing, to preserve the ridge
Do not cover the ends or other parts OF the vine
with dirt, neither cut them, but lay them up OF
the ridge out of the way. 1t will not harm L
lift them If they have commenced roofing at tn,
joints. Give them good thorough hOeing ate
=, the vines are well started, and they will sooI
cover the ground and take care of themselves
Dig for immediate use at any time when they ar
large enough, as the Ndneemondis generally goo'
at any stage of growth. Dig the crop when tn
Ieares are first nipped with frost. Cut the vine
each side Of the ridge with the point Of al
old scythe. Dig with broad tined forks, b.
thrusting down between the plants or hills, an,
throw them over all together. Handle with grea
care.
Preservation.-TO keep the Sweet Potato 70
use through the winter, or for seed, require
much care aud experience. II YOU only wish
few each year for scci, you will find it cheaper l.
buy at reasonable prices than to try to keep them
Potatoes for the table may be kept in good con
dition until Christmas, by simply being put AVA
carefully in barrels, or boxes, and set in a warm
dry cellar, with nothing mixed with them.
some dry sawdust i, scattered with them. as the
are packed. around the edge, it will prevent dry
ing too much, but it should not be put in tn
center OF the barrel, as it might generate to
much heat. Do not overhaul them, even if yo
discover s'ne rotten ones. 1t would only max
matters W. -. Remove them only a. you wan
them for usv-