Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-05-31
giet6 ana GaeSett.
Cultivation OF the Potato.


DIR. F. w. Heximer, Of Westchester
county,. recently read paper of the
potaso, before the New York Fruit
Growers, Club, froE4 which we extract
the following:
The principal cultivation of the pa
tato consists in keeping chs sell loose
and free from weeds Whatever pro-
cess accomplishes these points best
and chepest is the best cultivation
As soon as the potato vines appear
above ground. furrow should, with
small plough be ploughed away from
the rows as close 10 the potato as pos
sibie. About t#o weeks after this, a
furrow with a Double mould-bOard
plough, is opened in The center be-
tween every two rows, and repeated
evey two or three weeks afterward.
until the vines cover the ground. If
the field is very weedy and the plough
does not destroy all the weeds, 1t Is
necessary to GO over the ground after
ploughing and hoe up the weeds left
by the plough, and also uncover vines
occasionally covered by the plough :.
After the ploughing has been discon-
tinued very important part of the
cultivation commences. In order to
obtain = full crop there should not at
any time a single weed be visible in
the field, and all weeds growing after
the last ploughing should be pulled by
hand. After a rain, when the soil is
light and loose is an excellent time
for wedding potatoes, and it should
have preference before any other
farm work. The time required is but
very little compared with the advan-
tage gained. The labor saved in dig
ing in a clear field is more than is
required to pull the weeds when they
are small, not to add the increase of
the crop. We have raised large crops
without the use of the hoe, by simply
ploughing three times and pulling the
weeds twice. When potatoes are
planted late so that the ground can be
ploughed twice before planting. that
is probably the cheapest way to raise
the crop. @
Had [ to make selection of six
varieties to plant for marketing, |
would choose for early, Early Rose,
because it is the earliest and best early
variety, having yielded 26i per acre.
Early Goodrich, which, though it
has not succeeded well, in the last
wet season, is. when grown under
favorable conditions, of excellent
quality, of good size, shape and color,
productive and free from disease. -
For medium or main crops:
Harrison, because it is the most
productive and most profitable table
potato in existence. OF white skin
and flesh, large size add fair quality,
and entirely free from disease. Yield
$50 bushels per acre. Throughout
The whole extent of our country, no
potato has given more universal sat
isfaction than this variety. Lapstone
Kidney, for its beautiful shape and
appearance. 1t succeeds in soils
where the Prince Albert has failed -
1t is an excellent baking potato, and
by many preferred to any other
For late:
White Peachblow, because it is
when matured the most sought for
potato in market, unequaled by any
other variety for its mealiness. The
growing Of the White Pcachblow
has made many farmer itch, and
favorable seasons will no doubt inn
prove it again. as they have improved
other varieties.
Gleason, for its hardness, 1t is a
surer crop than any other potato
Be the season wet or dry, be the land
MANFRED with fresh manure or old, or
none at all used the the gleason is
certain to grow if planted early
enough and well cultivated. True,
its quality is not first-rate when dug,
but it improves by keeping. and is
quite accetable ifkept till April, when
other varieties are no more fit for the
table.
Should | choose six varieties in adj
dition to those characterized, | would
name Early Cottage, Dykeman Gar
net Chill. Orono. Calico and Andes.