The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-29

article of food, the stalks furnish a
large quantity of potash, and it is be-
lieved, if they were appropriated to
this manufacture, they would contribute
greatly towards supplying the demands
of commerce.
From the preceding remarks we
learn that the Potato is Indigenous to
mountainous, tropical localities, and
fiourishes best in Il cool airy, uniform
atmosphere. 1t is for this that the Po-
tato has been found TO grow we'll in
Iceland, and even in portions ofSiberla.
In it's culture we should endeavor 10
initiate artifcially its natural require
naejtts. 1t requires more ar, moisture
and c0oA1ess than most other tropical
plants for its full development. To Sc
cure this vigorous condition Of the plant,
it is advisable, in all situations remote
from the mountains or alpine ATTITUDES,
and where the heat of the sun becomes
intense, to adopt mode OF treatment
similar to the following, to be modified,
or improved upon, as experience may
suggest to the Intelligent observer.
Break up the ground thoroughly Id
January, then lay it otfinto rows about
two feet apart, open these with small
plow, and partially fill the drills with
manure, string into it, at the same
time, all the leached ashes that can be
possibly procured. Wheat bran, from
the gluten which it contains, is an eX-
cellent, mild fertilizer. All the hair,
from the killing OF hogs, should also be
carefully saved and scattered IN the
drills. Then divide the large Potatoes.
plant them with the cut face down, and
cover lightly with earth. At the hrst
planting which, in the Southern States,
is generally in winter, in order to Oh
tain an earl V crop, it is advisable to
cover the ground heavily with leaves
or straw, rs it is still cold, and needs
the warmth of the suns rays to stimu-
late vegetation. After the plants have
come up, and attained the hight of five
or six inches, the whole surface should
be more abundantly covered with leaves
carefully working them around the
tender plants with the fingers or rake,
and pressing them down. At subse-
quent plantings, as the warm season
advances, more early and abundant
application of leaves should be made.
The leaves, straw, or other covering
material, may be held to their place by
a layer of green pine tops, which pre-
vents the wind from blowing them
away, and still further assists in main-
tanning the soil in that state of moisture
and GOODNESS so essential to the vigor-
Gus and profitable growth ofthe Potato.
BY pursuing this mode OF cultivation,
we will succeed, under ordinary cir
cumstances, i'll raising as large tubcrS
as ever grew in the mountains, or" ould
Ireland itself: The Potato DOW ranks
as an article of food in the United States,
next in Importance to corn and wheat,
and is rapidly extending its superiority
over other coarser alimentary substan-
ces in almost every portion OF the civi-
/ lized world. The mountains Of North
Carolina are peculiarly adapted TO the
successful growth OF the Potato. The
soil is there sufficiently cool and moist,
without any artificial covering for the
production Of large and remunerative
crops. in warmer localities we must
consult the natiye haJHs, and produce
the proper degree Of coolness and mois-
ture, as previously indicated, to exclude
the scorching rays Of the sun. If our
efforts are thus directed, we may always
expect in a good soil, and ordinary sea-
son, Il vigorous growth and profitable
yield OF this mountainous, tropical
plant. The root crops should receive a
more enlarged cultivation In the South,
and there Is no one of this class OF
vegetables SO well repays a little extra
trouble and pains taking as the common
Potato. Lincoln County, n. c.
c. l.. II.