Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-03-04
The Irish Potato.


tato sets has elicitcd much discussion in
the agricultural journals of this country
and Europe; aud with view of aiding
our readers in arriving at correct conciu-
sions on this and other important points
in potato culture, We give the following
summing up from a Prize Essay of Mr..
George May, of Benthall, Eng who made
careful experiments on la9 trial plots -
ED. So. Cult.
1. 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 additional weight
of the set planted. The net profit, over
and above the extra weight of sets, 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 to eight ounces, averaged about five
tons per acre, all the intermediate steps
partaking proportionally of the increase.
9. The advantage of large sets is more
marked in the early varieties.
8. In the use of small sets, of 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.
q. Increasing the intervals at which the
sets are planted, even of the largest size,
in the rows, to more than twelve inches,
dminishes the crop, and the wider inter.
walls induce no increase in the weight of
the produce of the individual sets.
5. 1t 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 as an
equal weight per acre Of large sets. The
fact is, however, of limited application,
as weight of very small sets, equal to
a weight of full sized potatoes, could not
be got into the ground, except by plant
ing them so close rs not to be beneficial
to the crop. The advantage, therefore,
Of the large set remains practically un-
impaired.
6. Weight for weight cut sets produce
as nearly as possible the same weight per
acre as the whole pot toes, but, for the
reasons given above, the weight of the
sets should not be reduced by subdivision.
7. Smaller sets give larger produce
in proportion to their weight than the
larger sets.
S. When the intervals between the
sets in rows are diminished to less than q
foot, the produce of each individual set is
proportionately diminished. Though this
is not necessarily accompanied by dimi-
mutton of the weight of the crop, no in.
crease in the produce of each individual
sec is caused by placing the set at inter
walls wider than foot.
9. With reference to the relative pro.
duce of different varieties late red sort
takes precedence throughout the expert
ments; and of the several varieties of
Fluke, "Spencer's King of Flakes," and
"The Queen of Flukes," are much more
prolific than the ordinary variety.
As to the manure best adapted to the
potato, it was found by DR.. Lang that all
nitrogenous dressings, tried in Devonshire,
were rather prejudicial than otherwise, as
regards the potato disease, but that wood
ashes (Which abound in potasl) and lime
and salt were beneficial.
Experiments with regard to manures
were carried on under the direction of
Prof Voecker, and ON examining them
the following deductions have been made:
l. The best crop was obtained by the
use of rotten barn-yard manure.
.. Superphosphates and crude potash
salts-a purely mineral manuring-gave
a nearly equal increase. The mixture of
superphosphates and crude po'ashsalts
appear to be specially useful for root-crops
on light land.
3. Common salt enhances the efficiency
of t superphosphate- and potash.salis.
but when used alone it slightly dminishes
the crop.
4. Potash-salts applied alone, though
by no means the most desirable manure
for potatoes, neterlholess had better
effect than. common salt; for while the
crude potash-salts give an increase of
nearly 8 cwt. per acre, common salt pro-
duced 7 cwt. and IL lbs less than the un-
manurcd plots on the average.