The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-31
Growing Potatoes.

Growing Potatoes.
We are always glad when the season prom
ises an abundan: crop ofpotatoes, for our own
sake and for that Of the people Well DO we
remember how promising the potato fields
looked last summer after The rains comlnenc-
ed. Everybody said We should have a line
crop, and surely the vines never looked better
nor more vigorous than they did in August
The rains descended and the vines grew
apace, but there was superabundapce Of
water at last, and potstoes in the low grounds
were fairly drowned out, and those in more
elevated fields were injured by the wet. The
rust also was very destructive. This disease
If such it may be caDed-wln sometimes
utterly destroy field of potatoes IN single
night Ii is worse than pest and immeGi-
atey stops the growth. Such misfortunes the
farmer has no means Of avoiding. They come
to all aise,-to the industrious and the lazy
to the scientific aud the ignorant.
Much inquiry has been made aud many
theories started, touching the disease TO
which the potato has been subject in yesis
past. aud Its deterioration as an article of
food but these enquirirs and these theories
have not proved very satisfactory. and no
remedies have yet been discovered. Some
have feared that this valuable vegetable might
entirely run out aud cease to furnish food for
man; but such fears ought not to be INDUCED.
Experience has taught US that the potato
loves virgin soil and produces the largest
yield and the best food on new lands Ii Is of
such q nature that Ii paltake. largely of the
soil, and it requires good deal OF judgment
to select the best and most congenial soil for
its production. Tina, manure made rom veg
etable decomposition is much better for this
crop than barnyard manure there can be no
doubt. We have bit of experience ON this
subject, and give |, TO our readers for wha, IL
| is worth.
Several years ago we selected an acre on a
farm in Vermont for the purpose OF raising
some potatoes that might be fit to eat. The
land was light sandy soil, once covered with
heavy growth of white pine trees, inter
| mingled with some red and white oaks. The
soil was naturally good, but il was completely
run out, having been cultivated many years
without manure. 1t had become so poor that
white beans would not yield crop worth
| gathering. This acre was situated not far
from wood lot. In the tall we employed
| Frenchman with his old horse and heavy cart
and gathered all the leaves W. could ind,
both old and new and spread them upon this
acre. In some OF the hollows we found beds
OF leaves more than loot deep and more or
less decomposed. But that was not all tie
dressing this wood land afforded. We con-
menced EcraplDg the surface Of the lot
and gathered many loads Of black, rich scurf
and spread that upon our acre. The work
was done thoroughly. But before covering
this acre with dressing we ploughed II yery
deep.
The next spring il Was plougbed again, and
planted with potatoes. We procured the best
and soundest tubers we could find, and those
OF a fair size. We cut them, but not In very
small pieces, and put bnt few eyes In hin.
We had learned from repeated experiments
that 100 many sprouts In hill Injuries the
| crop. Our efforts were crowned with abun-
dant success. The yield was large and the
tubers excellent. We had completely reluve-
mated this acre, and the potatoes seemed 10
rejoice In the virgin soil. No doabt many OF
our farmers have worn out fields near wood
hands, which might be reluyenated IN the
same way. And my word fof it they will find
an ample reward in such an enterprise. Let
them remember that potatoes love virgin
soil, and govern themselves accordingly. We
are not sure but that potatoes might be
brought back into a healthy state il contiuu-
ously planted on such soil for several years.
But be that as 1t may, we know they will
grow best and produce tie best tubeIs on new
lands. Worn out lands cannot be made suit
able for potatoes by ban-yard manure. we
believe that is pretty well settled.
There are other troubles beside BARNARD
manure. In our climate some seasons are
too dry and again, others are too wet, Tor the
vigorous erouth OF this valuable icrop. Now
how shall some atonement be made for these
troubles 10 the potatoes? What remedies
can be applied? These are important uues-
tions. The farmer has no power over the
clouds. He cannot order them to shed more
rain when his potato vines are withering for
the want Of watar, nor command tbem to
| utS up WHICH, us IStus dit uONNSN. Dssh
he can guard against such calanities in some
degree We say to him then with emphasis
and desire il to be distinctly understood, that
plot,ing decp and paleefSing The soil
thoroughly eiu proee safeguard both
against drought or too much rain. Fsrme. 9
do moi plow deep enough. That is clear
case, aud almost every one acknowledges IL.
and yet they pursue their Old habit OF shal.
+ low plowing from year 10 year. Another
thing-fall plowing is essential. But let it
be understood thrt the field should also be
plowcd again in the spring. This is highly
important. Potato ground should be thorough
ly pulverised fer the purpose Of guarding
against drought or too much wet. When
there Is adeep bed Of mellow soil tor absorb
= ing surplus water when 1t comes and for re-
tanning itthrough dry periods, the crop VIII De
good. Farmers may depend upon 1t that deep
plowed thoroughly pulverlzed soil viii place
their potato crops above almost any eontiu-
! Rency OF wet OF dry seasons. ltthese state
, ments are true-and we believe they are
] the farmer win see to Il that his potato