The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1868-07-03
Potato Growing.

Ills a noticeable fact that its prices
in various parts OF the country are
nearly ali equal, and the grower is
not compelled to seek. nor dependent
ON distant markets for profitable re-
turns. The large cities OF course con-
sumo immense quantities, so. too. dc
tho smaller towns and villages every
where, and az no surplus can be car
ried over from one year TO another.
the local as we'll as shipping demand
will always be good and generally
vteady. Ia all localities that are well
adapted to potato growing, FARMERS
will do we'll to pay considerable at
tention to this branch OF their bcsi-
ness. At present prices the CROP Is
enormously profitable. with a isir
Yield. We have observed, too, that
farmers who bad good advantages in
the poiuts of location and soil, have
made themselves rich by steadily pur-
suing potato growing for short term
OF years. 1t is true they met with oc.
casional ADMINISTRATIONS from rot,
or drouth, or low prices--but these
we're compensated for by years Of un.
usual success. In regard to prices,
they they are much less variable lat
terly than formerly, and there seems
now to be little danger Of meeting Sc.
yious reverses in that direction.
Owing to the nature Of the crop,
(which 10 bulky and requires much la
Dor to handle, close proximity to mar
ket, OF to a shipping point, is very es.
seutial to growing il on the large
scale. Five miles, even, will be ionnd
long and weary distance to haul a
large crop Of potatoes, and where the
location is 80 near the market that it
10 only the work Of two or three days
to haul the crop, the advantage OF
prices which may often be taken will
add largely to the profits. As for
soil, loans are the best, and stiff clays
least adapted to the potato.
The cultivation of potatoes, with
the exception Of harvesting, may be
carried on with as little expense as
that OF corn. and perhaps with even
less cost. They may be planted rapid
~ by machinery, and by judicious
and timely use of the harrow and cul-
tivator, hand hoeing is rendered IN
necessary. The young potato plant
is mnch tougher than that Of corn,
and will bear to be entirely covered
with earth after it breaks the crust;
this gives chance of completely
cleaning the coil BY machine labor
alone. Some growers recommend
fat culture, but this necessitates a
very deep ssl, as the seed must be
planted in Q furrow, 80 as to allow OF
. considerable depth OF earth being
drawn over the tubers as they grow;
this is necessary to protect them from
the sun. Moderate billing is un.
doubleday the best and most practical
method Of culture to suit the majority
OF fields, and has the advantage Of
leaving the surface in the best position
in diging.
The great improvement yet to be
generally introduced to cheaper po-
tato growing, is suitable machinery
for harvesting. When the farmer can
take his crop from the ground and put
it in the basket by horse power at as
rapid . rate. comparatively, as he can
harvest wheat, he will have overcome
the main obstacle to the extensive
growing Of this important article Of
food. Inventors see this, and are
tbickly in the field eagerly contend
ing tor the prize. 1t is not an easy
one to win, yet we LOOK with iaith for
the time when the potato harvesters
will be % perfect aud as common as
rcapera.
The potato crop is q good one To
precede spring grain. especially bar.
ley. The latter is an excellent one to
seed down to clover and grass with,
aud clover sod, Of years growth,
i, good preparation for potoes. Blu,
THE would be too narrow and short q
system Of rotation. So we should
prefer to follow the clover with wheat,
and the wheat with clover again.
Potatoes are On admirable crop to in.
troduce ia . system Of rotation, and
thew should come between two crops