Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-12
House, Farm and Garden,
1. ID. n. COLLINS, Editor.

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I.D.R. COLLINS, Editor.
Potato Growing.
For the past few years the potatoe has
been fast advancing in importance as an
agricultural production, until it now ranks
as one of our most paying crops. In all
localities that are well adapted to potato
growing, farmers are paying considerable
attention to this branch of their business.
And it will be observed that whoever had
good advantages in points Of location and
soil have gained for themselves compe-
tency by steadily pursuing potato growing
for short term Of years. 1t is true they
sometimes met with a failure, but these
were compensated for by years of success.
In regard to soils, loans are considered
best, and stiff clays the least adapted to the
potatOe. The cultivation of the crop, with
the exception of harvesting, may be carried
on with very little expense. They can be
planted rapidly, and by judicious and time
ly use of the cultiyator, double mould
board pillow, or horse hoe, hand hoeing be-
comes very easy. In fact, where the land
is middling free from stone stumps, &C.,
and the soil mellow, they can be hoed quite
well with the horse hoe. Some growers
recommend fiat culture, but this method
of culture requires a deep soil. Moderate
killing is undoubtedly the best method of
culture, and has the adyantagesof leaving
the ground in the best position for digging.
When planting, don't bury the seed, but
keep it as near the surface as possible
/ Drills may be marked out, unless it is in
| tended to manure in the HILL with an i'm
plement that will mark three or four rows
at time, the same as is commonly used
for marking cut for corn. The seed may
be dropped in the drills from twelve to
fourteen inches apart, if the greatest num-
| Der Of bushels at harvesting from a given
area is desired. For seed, a medium sized,
well developed potato is perhaps, all things
considered, the best but whether the
greatest benefit can be derived from them
| planted whole or cut, is still mooted
question. Planted whole, they will, I'M
doubtedly, commence growing several days
sooner than if cut. In an experiment tried
| by J. T. Warder, Of Ohio, with the Harri-
son. he obtained the greatest Weld, in pro
portion to weight Of seed, from small Dota-
toes, the cut next, and large whole ones
least Of all. Prof ". W. Daniels, Of the
Agricultural College OF Wisconsin, in an
experiment made with the peachbow po-
tatoe, without seed end one piece in a hill.
Bushels of seed per acre, 81 yield per acre
l32 bushels. Next best from a large pota-
toe planted whole, one in Hill. Bushels
of seed per acre, 20; Yield per acre. 1873
bushels
With u, mixture Of well developed
small and medium sized potatoes Ori9oe.
the small planted who'll, the others c,t
planted in drills. one potato or niece in a
place twelve to fourteen iDcbe. ,narr in
the drills, on moderately rich ground will
produce A crop Of from 200 to $50 hu,boI.
per acre. with nounusual quantity Of small
potatoes. 1t is fact conceded bv an en-.
inent agriculturists. that large potatoe,
elected for seed, and from this produce Sc
lect as before, and thus continue to do from
year to year. the potato will increase in
size, and that just in proportion as they in
crease in size above a fair medium. they
Will deteriorate in quality. 1t is found
that the elements of the solid or dry mat
ter of the potato are composed largely Of
carbon and potash, and in soil, long crop.
| ped these clement, are generally wanting
and should be supplied by artificial means
Carbon can be supplied in abundance from
decayed leave, and muck. Potash from
plaster, lime aud ashes. \ very desirabl,
compost can be made by mixing muck
lime and salt. Proportion, one ca~E un
Stacked lime, more or less, half bushei salt
to three cords OF muck, thoroughly mixed
the lime should be Stacked before using
The muck can be dug IN the fall. the lint
ana salt mixed with 1t. and LETT IN pill
over winter, TO be used the following spring
a nall Shoveliul to the hlA II the Pota
toes are to be planted IN drills, and com
post used, the drill should be made with :
small ploW
II nltEogenous or animal mAnures are q
be used, perhaps the best way wonld be t
spread them broadcast and thoroughly IN
corporate them with the surface SOIL, a
nitrogen forms large part OF alllungus,
and II put IN the hill might hasten the 70
tato disease. II Is perhaps better to Us
SUCH manuras III and about the hlds as ar
known to be Snniayoraole to the potat
, disease, and favorable to the growth OF tn
potato, SucH AS plaster, lime, sulphur, sal
and wood ashes These substances, to o
OF the greatest possible benefit, should p
thrown on and around the hills lew day
before hoeng, or sowed broadcast upon tn
surface. Plaster Is an excellent tertiiize
for the potato; 1t should be applied in
damp or lowry day, or after sunset. Plas
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