The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-04-15
Ghs nnion pfmofrat.


s. j. weollsy, of billiard. Ohio. talks abou
potatoes as follows in the 0hio Farmer:
II has been three hundred years since IN,
ratatoe was discovered. hut il IL now cultivat
ed in all parts Of the globe were civiizatinr
has extended. One hundred end fifty million
bushels are consumed annually in the United
States as ~ article Of food alone, aside from
their extensive utility in occupying 80 grea, a
part in commerce and the arts.
There are n great variety of opinions in re-
gard to the proper method ef their culnie. |
have tried many experiments in the cuitiva-
ton Of potatoes, and hare settled on the foi-
lowing system as being the true one:
If il 10 convenient, Plant your potatoes on
new land, sod is next best, and should De
broken in the fall or early spring, and SUD.
soiled at least fifteen inches deep. Animal
or stable manure should not be used on pofa-
toe ground, il has n tendency to Geteriorate
and disease; potatoes thus raised lack the
swee, delicate flavor that those have which
are raised on virgin soil. The crop NAV be
much benefited with vegetable manure. ashes
lime. salt. 90. have never succeeded in
raising good crop Of healthy potatoes on wet
land: rich, cacareous clay soil tina, contains
a little sand is best and may be much benefit
ed by beirg underdrained.
There are many failures caused by not
having the seed properly prepared. There
are variety Of opinions in regard to the
kind of seed 70 plant. whether large or snail
! am satisfied that large seed not cut in more
than two pieces is bes'. hat small seed, If
properly prepared, il nearly a. good.
Large potatoes should be cut lerg.hwise.
and snallsones should have only the sprout
end cut off, l. q, the end furthest from the
stem If all the sprouts are allowed 90 grow.
there is not vitality enough in small potato
to make vigorous growth. There will be
many stalks, and a hill Of MANY lit'le pnra-
toes, whereas if the sprout end is cut off there
will he few strong stalks aad not more thar
half the number Of potatoes will I've produced,
bur they will nearly all he large ones.
Those that are planted early should be cut
at least week before they are planted. and
the heap turned over, or spread thin. ia dry.
An incrustaton of the starch and juices of
the tuber, called healing. takes place, which
defends the piece against dscav. II is impnr-
tant 10 have your seed well matured. If YOUR
seed potatoes are not ripe you need not expect
success.
The hest time to plant, in this latitude. is
about the middle of April, but the time NAV
be extended to the first Of july. hut early
planting, IA n rule. is nv far the hest. The
earlier in the season the potato gets start
the more likely il is to escape the summer
droughts. the attacks of the potato bug, and
other influences Infavorable tn its growth and
maturity Early planting should be about
eight inches deep, so il the frost should kill
the tops. the eyes will start again.
II your ground is clear Of weeds. would
plant in drills about twelve inches apart. and
have the rows three feet and a half apart.
IA soon IA the plant ia about four inches
high, run the cultivator close to md between.
but not over them. The next time cultivate
deep, and thoroughly pulverizs the soil. and
encourage the growth of the tuber rather
than the stalk. and the third time Law them
by with the double shovel, not hill them M
too much, cut the weeds out after this with a
hoe