The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-04-03


Prepare lot Of shallow hoxcs from "a to
3 inches deep-soap or candle boSes-and
il slit twice length or fatwisa will make 3
boxes Of the required depth-the top aud
bottom two, leaving the middle piece to bc
furnished with a bottom. The thinl OF u
soap box will hold from 100 to 100 sets or
eyes the third Of candlebox about GO
sets.
1.-THE sets are planted out in ruws, foot
apart In the rows, every Sd acts will produce
one bushei or three bushels to every 100
feet Of rows il planted in rows three feet
apart or eleven hills three feet apart, three
sets in hill, set about a foot apart in the
bill, should produce a bushel Of potatoes
when ripe, equal to IA bushels to the
acre.
With this information all can tell the
number OF boxes required to furnish sets
suiIicien, to plant any desired space.
Compost for he Seis.-,lix up lot Of
sand and soil or sand and fine manure or
finely sillcd coal ashes and sand, or fine
sand alone will do, having boxes and CON-
post ready.
Proceed 10 Cut The Ssis.-Select from your
stock Of seed potatoes all those that have
good strong sprouts at the point or uose end
cut of each sprom with n biz of the potato
attached to il. The end sprouts are to be
kept separate, and marked No. q; the next
or middle sprouts or eyes No. ., and the
eyes at the stem or hut end, No. 3. Num-
ber the l'oxes accordingly. aud when ready
to set in the open ground plant out in the
same orler. No. will ripen first, No 2
second, aud No. , following Gain in
time about two weeks.
The sets being ready, cover the bottom Of
the boxes with the compost, then set tho
eyes on il so they touch each other, Oil up
the boxes with compost, wet with warm
water occasionally, keep in warm room
if desired to push them forward keep quite
warm If necessary to rctarl them remove
to cool place. From two to three weeks
brings them into iine condition for setting
in the open ground, which Is generally
about the first week in April in the vicinity
Of New York city.
A few days prior to planting out the sets,
wa,er should not he applied,-letting the
sets dry of greatly facilitates the separating
OF the rooilets. Tor on turning them out ot
tho boxes they will he found in a compact
mass. like sod Of grass; careful and re-
peatel shaking will separate them nicely,
preserving the rootlets Of ench st entire.
II any OF the sprouts have grown to long, so
they would DO above the ground when plant
cd. such should be laid down and covered
with earth, if in danger Of trust.
Sitting oui the Spuui,.-Thc ground
being prepared, rows Or hills opened, the
sprouts are set n foot apart and covered
with fine horse manure aud then with earth
II ashes or ashes AMI plaster are used, then
slight sprinkling Of either before covering,
to bc repeated rs top dressing when the
sprouts appear above ground. Tho ground
must he KEEP, in fine, mellow condition at
the sides of,he rows, and well drawn up to
the vines rs they advance in growth.
Kind 10 Plant. early planting l rec
on'end the Early Goodrich, They are very
early and productive-quaIi,y fins-cook
dry and mealy even beere ripe; product
with ordinary care, 800 to 400 bushels per
acre with extra care, 400 TO 600 bushels.
For late planting the 'Harison.' This is
a fine late variety, keeps well, like the
Goodrich, and is still more productive than
the Goodrich. have raised three pecks
from less than pound Of seed, and have
reliable information that five bushels were
,aised from five ordinary sized potatoes
during the past season product from 400
to SEQ bushels per acre; with care GOO.