The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-18
A6rieultural.
Early Potatoes,

There Is q large class of persons who value
good. well ripened, early potatoes. moro thar
any other vegetable. The potato is q universal
favorite. We have never met more than hal
dozen people who did not like II. II is easily
raised, cheap, and has just about the proper
proportion Of bulk aud nutritious properties
to make 1t one Of the most Wholesome article:
Of diet that come upon the table. In cases OF
sickness, where the patient is convalescent, a
roasted potato that Is mealy, and eaten MS soon
rs cooked, is highly relished. and is rs harm.
less, perhaps, rs any food that can be taken.
As the common, everyday food Of the table,
the potato stands next tn bread. When WELL
cooked, most children will take half their entire
food ofthe potato, especially il they can have a
little milk or cream with the mash, aud will be.
come vigorous and free from humors after q
years use of them, cooked in various forms
Every family,-in the country at least -
should have them plentifully BY the first OF Au-
gust. and by taking some pains TT may ocgin, , to
10 be considered Is the soil. ltshould be com.
paritively dry and sandy soil, rather than wet
black loan. A fresh, or new soil Is greatly
preferable-onc recently covered with grass, or
what is still BETTER scrub oaks, sweet fern, black
berry and hucklcberry bushes. Such soil.
when well plowed and narrowed, will be light
and will abound with the alkalics and alkaline
earths that the potato requires. The situation
selected should be an open, but warm, one
along the side Of an old fence or wall, where
bushes have been growing for hal century,
or less, and exposed to the morning sun. on
such soil, and In such situation. the plants
will start early and come to maturity rapidly ;
and If the variety planted be good one, the
tubers grown will have sweet and agreeable
flavor. Some of the varieties used for early
planting are the jackson White, White Che
mango, which como quite early, tho Early Blue,
and others. Burr says the Ash-Leaved Kidney
Is one cf the earliest varieties, and TINT the Ear
ly Blue is one of the earliest of the garden po-
tatoes, Of fine quality, and one OF the best for
forcing for early crops. IL the ground was not
prepared last fall, Il should be made ready o.
soon as the frost Is out, so that 1t can be plowed
six inches deep. and the potatoes planted.
In order to facilitate the crop, some persons
set barrel of seed by the kitchen stove about
the middle Of March, where they remain until
sprouts have started half an inch in length.
In this case the top Of the potatoes must bc GOV.
cred with loan or q cloth to keep out the light.
Others lay bushel or two Of seed upon grass
ground, in some warm spot, and cover them
with horse manure sufficiently deep to keep them
warm. They will sprout readily In this condi'
tion II they arc kept moist and warm, and can
be got at to plant moro easily than from o bar
rel Others. still, who only require few, start
them In hot beds.
Planting should take place just As soon as
the soil Is dry enough to admit Of working Il.
Plant, IL thcre 10 dry surface sufficient to GOV.
or with. even II the frost Is foot deep below.
Before planting, prepare liberal holes and all
them with shovelful OF horse stable manure.
Cover this with sprinkling of fresh. damp
mold. and place the "sets" or seed on this and
cover three inches deep. Mr.. J.. knight says
that IL the "sets' are placed with their leading
buds upward, few and very strong carly stems
will be produced but II the position be rcvers-
ed. many weak and later shoots will arise, and
not only the earliness, but the quality Of the
produce be deprecated.
BY putting the above suggestions In practice,
every person may expect fine dish OF nearly
ripcned potatoes for his Fourth ofJuly dinner
with his roasted lamb and green peas, and an
abundant supply amer the 10th OF the same
month. How can the farmer add to the com-
fort and health OF his family In better way p
.Ssr England Farmsr. -