Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-23

plant them whole, and where large ones are
used, to cut them in half only.
l arrive at this conclusion both by expert
mcnt and by the following reasoning:
The set when 1t first sprouts, obtains its
nourishment from the body of the cutting un-
til this is all exhausted but as soon as il
sprouts it also throws out roots into the SOIL
Until the starch and sugar in the set is all ex-
hausted, these roots do little but increase In
size. As soon as the substance of the original
set is exhausted, the plant must obtain nourish-
ment from the soil by means Of its roots.
Now, by planting large sets, we give to each
sprout large proportion of nourshment, and
this enables the plant to extend its roots before
they are called upon for actual service.
know that potatoes can he raised from par.
ings This may do in ground which is strong
and in good condition, but in poor or hard
ground it will not do.
have found by experiment that more pota-
toes can be raised from the same amount of
seed by cutting the potatoes in two instead of
four pieces and this, too, in rows side by side,
one row having the seed cut in two, and the
next in four, and so on throughout; that is,
where they are placed the same distance apart
in the row, about one foot. Where those cut
in two were planted one foot apart, and those
cut in four eight inches, the former produced
the best and largest amount of potatoes.
When potatoes are planted in cornstalk
ground they should be planted early, both to
avoid danger from rot, and to be out of the
way of the ensuing wheat crop.
| have found that on the same land three
hundred weight of guano will produce better
crop than good coat Of barnyard manure
Also that three hundred weight Of super-phos-
phate mixed with five bushels of plaster. will
produce about the same quantity of much bet
for fNpfn Of SC
These remarks apply to one acre. The manure
(barnyard) was spread all over the ground, and
the others scattered in the furrow on top of the
sets. But the succeeding crops OF wheat and
grass without any additional manure, were
much better where the barnyard manure was
applied than where the others were used.-
That part to which guano was applied comes
next.
1t will materially increase the crop to roll
the sets in plaster just after cutting, and allow
ing them to lay spread out and occasionally
dust them with plaster for two or three days
previous to planting.
| always dig as soon as the tops die if this
is inconvenient, NOV the tops as soon as dead
and dig soon
Now, word about keeping potatoes. We
find grea' care used to prevent potatoes and
other roots from freezing Freezing does not
hurt them; it is the thawing that does the
mischief. Potatoes may he frozen and thawed
three or four times during the winter, provid-
ing the thawing be properly conducted, and
not be injured thereby in the least.
If n member of the body, such as hand OF
foot be Frozen and be suddenly thawed by fire
or warm water, the flesh will mortify and dror
off; but let the frozen member be rubbed witt
snow, which is little lower in temperature
than the frozen foot, and thus be gradually
| h,,t IL
Only few days since | tasted potatoes
which were kept in a heap in the open air, and
covered with three inches of earth all winter
They were twice Cat least) frozen solid, anC
twice thawed, but were uninured.
In the spring, if early vegetables, such a
beans, peas or tomatoes should be frosted Of
completely covered with white frost, they ma,
he saved by being sprinklcd with cold water /
administered before the sun shines on them
The water reduces the temperature gradually
without any bad effect
If potatoes, apples, or other vegetables whei
frozen solid are placed in cold water, they vii
be thawed gradually and no harm will be don
them. Vegetables may be kept all winter b
making them into conical heaps, and covere
with three inches of earth, and sod on top, t
shed rain. A thin layer of clean straw may b
placed over the vegetables to keep them fror
the dirt When put up in this Manner apple
or potatoes may be taken out at any time dur
ing the winter, and if thawed in cold water ar
good as ever.
If your potatoes freeze in the cellar, don
S wait for them to thaw, but throw them into
f conical heap, either where they are, or in tn
open air, and cover them with dirt, straw
o shavings, old clothes, or chaf packed tigh
= around them and they are safe The cover n
will prevent sudden changes, which do all tn
9 mischief | have saved frozen potatoes in th
way; it may be new to some Of your reader,
e and may be of use.-Ge rmantorn Telegraph.