The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-04-17
Farm, Garden, and Household.
Planting Potatoes.

The potatoes the past year was failure
in quality on account OF the great heat.
Many tnherS were So scorchei that they
became waterv and rank; and some very
near the surface or partially exposed. as
Sumc0 the green color and unfit to feed
.F TO stock. on account of the poisonous
property engendered by the rays OF the
SUI. The remedy i. plant deep, from six
20 seven inches. This for VaiiouS reasons ;
il VII permit very carly Planting-an ad-
vauisgc-SrCurjng thus the seed against the
frost. or il reached by it, it will permit it
gradually 10 draw out, which will save it :;
li VIII favor { in drouth, and prevent the
setting oi iuherS too near the surface. so
that the sun cannot iniurc them hiling can
also hc dispensed with. and only the culti-
v4tor used to make mellow and keep out the
grass, with no danger of hurting the roots
or the tubers.
BY putting out early. with the first mel
low soil the potato will sprout and grow
%. uninpeded in the ground Instead of the
cellar, and get the benefit Of the Winters
moisture, which IN an early drouth, is of
Importance. Particularly should the Early
hose be nut out early. The expert
enSc here iS. decided and unvarying, that
NaQ cannot get it ont too early in case you
nave mellow ground for ii. 1t will grow in
me worst of weather, snow and frost e&-
'eptr3, aud seems 10 delight in it, while at
The same time other sorts are at q stand
still thus making this emphaticallv what it
i al early potato Plant close rather than
wide apart. say . to II inches in the row,
- this sort keeps its tuberS close together
"a nest ut them. and easily gathered. They
VIII then also he Of a medium rather than Il
large size, which s favorable to quality
ana hY putting but one or two eyes in a
hi.l, 'hcre will be few small potatoes. Thus
crop of Early Rose can be ripened very
early. and of superior quality and Weld
But the ground mnst he dry or well drain
-d; and as a guard against rot, there
should he more sand than clay in the soil.
Late sorts should receive the same treat
ment as carly They will then. by being
put ont early. get the whole seasons
growth, and Will rpen in time for dry gath
erlnE A potato wants to be grown rather
slowly, but continuously and well ripened.
III viii then he sound and solid, fine grain
of better flavor; also more mellow.
Hank growth will give a rank taste, and
waiery condition A less concentration of
Substance.
Experience has demonstrated that it is
better io manure in the Hill than to apply
broadcast. Better poor soil, with some
y 'Nl ltTIlllHtF In lhf NlIl, tllan rlcn iaDu;
and ihe heS' fertilizers are ashes, guano, re-
iIlel hone. plaster. &c. Ashes are a
special manure for this plant.
VIII our farmers who are not in the
secret o. Early planting, try it this wear.
nv ~ ou a small scale if no other. Put
tut with very first mellow soil, if it is in
March hut he sure and plant deep, never
less than six, and better seven inches
When say better seven I mean it particu-
larly ith the Early Rose. But do it with
sll sorts Do not fear the frost with the
seed - deep in the ground. Put good
quantity OF unleached wood ashes and hen
dung iu the hin if the soil is not rich The
ashes ana dung should he applied and coy-
cred Al once, - soon as mixed, rs else the
strength by the union VIII escape, and that
7apldlY Keep ont the grass, keep the
ground mellow. Country Gentleman.