Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-05-01
Potato Culture.

IT is not to be expected that all potato
growers will agree upon any one system of
culture. Men are very likely to hold diff
terent opinions in regard to the value of
varieties and methods of culture even in
the same neighbOrhood and when we take
into consideration the wide variation in
climate and soils, we must not expect that
any one system of culture in all its details
will answer for the whole country. Still
there are certain general rules which are
applicable to all localities where this
tuber is cultivated, and the better these
are understood by the cultivatOr the more
certain will be his success.
The potato is without doubt native of
a tropical country, although it is almost
worthless when grown in hot climate
To some this appears to be a strange anon
ally, but latitude does not ALWAYS regu-
late temperature, and the potato is found
growing wild upon high table-lan and
mountains in South America, where the
temperature never reaches as high point
as it does in summer even in our more
Northern States. Experience shows us
that the potato succeeds best and the tubers
are Of a better quality when grown in a
cool, moist climate than when grown in
one that is hot and dry; hence the supe-
riority Of those received from Maine, Yer
mont, northern New York, and in the
same latitude westward.
In the Middle States very early varie-
ties are more valuable than late ones, be
cause the farmer can plant early and
secure good growth during the cool,
moist weather in spring, and then get
his crop into market before those from
more northern localities can possibly ma
ture. But it has been demonstrated by
long experience that the potato deterio-
rates very rapidly when grown in warm
climates, and frequent renewals of the
stock from a cool climate are not only
beneficial but often an imperative neces-
sity. Probably the long time which inter
venes between harvest and planting time,
without proper place for storage, has
something to do with this rapid deteriora-
ton: but that it does take place is a well
established fact.
Knowing that the potato as a general
rule deteriOrates in climates no further
south even than Delaware and MARYLAND,
we ask the farmers of those regions if they
cannot adopt some system of culture that
shall in a measure check this rapid de-
cline. Great heat and lack of moisture
are the two principal causes of deteriora-
ton, and as a remedy we advise planting
deep; give level culture or no culture al
all, and mulch the entire surface of the
ground. Where swamp hay or straw can
be had cheaply, mulching is perfectly
practicable and will usually insure good
yield Of tubers. Very few farmers plant
deep enough; the seed in majority of in
stances is not covered more than two
inches, when four to six is far better
depth. Then no killing up will be nee
essary; the weeds being kept down with a
culuvator. OF course the system should
be varied to suit soil and climate. In
light soils and where the seasons are hot
and dry, plant deeper than in those of an
opposite character.
SEED POTATOES.
We know that the seed potato question
is one that has been discussed with each
recurring planting season, and is probably
no nearer a final settlement than before.
Many Of our farmers still adhere to the
old-time system of planting whole pota-
! toes, and we have no doubt they really
believe it is the most economical and best
way of securing good crop We have
often heard men who ought to know bet
ter assert that it was just as necessary to