The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-10
A ult ural.
Potato Planting.
TFrom the Norfolk Journal. ]

We publish below paper, as read before the
Pathological Society by General Page, on Potato
Planting. 1t gives the results of series of ex-
pesiments made by the author, Mr. George May,
in England, who received prize for the produe-
tiaa. No doubt many of the hints are valuable;
but our experience tallies with his, that, to make
Irish potatoes grow, there is nothing like well
rotted barn-yard manure:
The Potato.-Mr George May, of Benthall
England, in his prize essay on the potato, gives
the results of experiments on 129 trial plots
which may be summed up as follows:
L. Every increase in the size of the set, from
one ounce to eight ounces in weight, produces an
increase in the crop much greater than the ad-
ditSonal weight OF the set planted. The net
profit over and above the extra weight ofsets in
planting four ounce sets in lieu of one ounce SETS
amounted ON the whole series of experiments, to
between three and four tons per acre. and the
further profit, on the increase of the size of the
set from four ounces, averaged about five tons
per acre, all the intermediate steps pantaking
proportionately of the increase.
z. The advantage of large sets is more mark
ed in the late than in the early varieties.
g. In the use of small sets, of from one to three
ounces in weight, large balance over and above
the weight Of the sets was obtained by planting
from six to nine inches apart in the rows than
at wider intervals
4. Increasing the intervals at which the sets
are planted, even of the largest size, in the rows
to more than twelve inches, diminishes the crop,
and the wider intervals induce no increase in the
weight of the produce of the individual sets.
5. It may be broadly stated that the weight Of
the crop is proportionate to the weight per acre
of the sets, and that small sets will produce the
same crop equal weight per acre of1arge
sets. The fact is, however, of limited applica-
tion, as weight Of very small sets, equal to a
weight of full sized potatoes, could not be got
into the the ground, except by planting them SO
close as to be prejudicial to the crop. The ad-
vantage, therefore, of large sets remains practi-
cally unimpalred.
6. Weight for weight, cut sets to produce as
nearly as possibly the same weight per acre as
whole potatoes, but for the reasons given above
the weight of the sets should not be reduced by
subdivision.
Z Smaller sets give larger produce in pro-
portion to their wei ght than the larger sets.
8 When the intervals between the sets in
rows are diminished to less than foot the pro-
duce of each individual set is proportionately di
minished Though this is not necessarily accom-
panied by diminuton Of the weight of the CROP
no increase in the produce Of each individual
sets caused by placing the set at intervals wider
than foot.
As to the manure best adapted to the potato
it w:s found by DR. Lang that all nitrogenous
dressings tried in Devonshire were rather preju-
dicnl than otherwise, as regards the potatoe dis
ease, but that wood ashes (Which abound in pot
ash and lime and salt were beneficial.
Experiments with regard to manures were car
ried on under the direction of Professor Volcker
and on examining them, the following dcduc-
tions have been made:
!. The best crop was obtained by the use Of
rotten barn yard manure.
2 Superphosphate and crude potash salts-a
pure mineral manuring-gave near equal in
crease. The mixture Of superphosphate and
crude potash salts appear to be specially useful for
root crops on light land
3. Common salt enhances the efficiency Of the
superphosphate and potash salts; but when used
alone, it slightly diminishes the crop.
4. Potash salts, applied alone, though by no
means the most desirable manure for potatoes,
nevertheless had better effect than common
salt; for while the crude potash salts gave an in
t'crease of nearly 800 per acre common salt
produce 700 and Al Tbs. less than the unma-
nured plots ON the average.