Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-04-06
chi ure

S. J. Woodley, of Hillard, Ohio, talks
about potatoes as follows in the Ohio Far
mer:
1t has been three hundred years since
the potato was discovered, but it is now
cultivated in all parts of the globe where
civilization has extended. One hundred
and fifty million bushels are consumed
annually in the United States as an article
of food alone, aside from their utility in
occupying so great a part in
and the arts.
There are a great variety of opinions in
regard to the proper method of their Gull
ture. l nave tried many experiments III
the cultivation of potatoes, and have set
tied on the following system as being the
true one.
If it is convenient, plant your potatoes
on new land, sod is text best and should
be broken in fall or early spring, and
subsoiled at least fifteen inches deep.
Animal or stable manure should not be
used on potato ground, it has a tendency
to deteriorate and disease potatoes thus
raised lack the sweet, delicate flavor that
those have which are raised on virgin soil.
The crop may be much benefited with
vegetable manure, ashes, lime, salt, &c.
| have never succeeded in raising "a
good crop of healthy potatoeson wet land
a rich. calcareous clay soil that contains
a little sand is best and may be much bene-
flied by being underdrained.
There are many failures caused oy not
saving the seed properly prepared There
sa,e a variety of opinions in regard to the
kind of seed to plant, whether large or
Meunail. l am satisfied that large seed not
sc4t in more than two Is best, but small
ssced, if properly prepared is nearly as
good.
Large potatoes should be cut length
wise, and small ones should have only the
sprout end cut off. i. e., the end furthest
from the stem. fall the sprouts are allow
ed to grow, there is not vitality enough in
asmall potato to make n vigorous growth.
There will be many stalks, and a hill of
many little potatoes whereas If the sprout
end is cut off there viii be a few strong
stalks and not more than half the number
of potatoes will be produced, but they
will nearly all be large ones.
Those that are planted early should be
cut at least u NCth bClDiC thCJ ~ Pi"hSNN
and the heap turned over, or spread thin,
to dry. An inerustation of the starch and
Juices of the tuber, called healing, takes
place, which defends the piece against
decay. 1t is important to have your seed
we'll matured. If your seed potatoes are
not ripe you need not expect success.
The best time to plant, in this latitude,
is about the middle of April, but the time
NAV be extended to first of July, but early
planting as a rule, is by far the best. The
earlier in the season the potato gets a start
the more likely it is to escape the summer
droughts the attacks of the potato bug, and
other influences unfavorable to its growth
and maturity. Early planting should be
about eight inches deep, so if the frost
Aould kill the tops the eyes will start
again.
If your ground is clear of weeds, L
would plant in drills about twelve inches
apart, and nave the rows three feet and a
half apart.
AS soon as the plant is about four
inches high. run the cuhivator close to
and between but not over them. The
next time cultivate deep, and thoroughly
pulverize the soil, and encourage the
growth of the tuber rather than the stalk.
and the third time lag them by with the
double shovel, not hill them up too much,
cut the weeds out after this with a hoe.