The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-10-30

rows, ana The potatoes dropped ABOUT
one foot from each other in the rows,
they are then covered and left until
digging time. The advantage claimed
by this system is, that the ground be-
ing plowed so late, the weeds will not
grow so as TO injure the potatoes any
more during the season.
This system may be used to advan-
tage in new sod ground. the first year.
but after the first year weeds grow so
rank that it is useless to try it.
The next system that | wish to in
troduce, is one think highly COM
mendable to our farmers, and one that
has been tried with success for the last
four seasons. and in order that it will
be well understood. will commence
at the selection of the seed. | would
like to first state that there are but
three varieties of Irish potatoes that
have given general satisfaction TO the
grower in this valley, early rose, early
potatoes. russetts. fall, and peach blows,
winter potatoes.
In selecting seeds always choose the
largest, finest and smoothest potatoes,
rejecting all inferior and knoty ones.
and all of those that are covered with
scab or are wormcaten.
In cutting the tubers always cut them
lengthwise from seed end to stem, cal
culating to get from two to three eyes
in each piece, and try to always get at
least one eye in each piece from the
seed end.
| have found by testing for three
years that not one in five Of the eyes
from the center OF the tubcr to the
stem end will grow. Consequently it
is only waste of time and labor to
plant them.
la preparing the ground first plow it
possible. it will do later, but think
that is about the best time. weeds are
generally ripe at that time. and being
turned under they have a chance to
sprout before winter sets in, aud all
those that are sproutcd will be killed
by the freezing and thawing during the
winter. The ground should be plowed
at least ten inches deep, and left rough
until the following spring. About the
middle of April cross lIow it as deep
as you did in the fall, mark the ground
off in rows about four feet one way.
and two and one halfthe other. so thar
you can cultivate them each way with
a SINGLE shovel plow.
Drop your potatoes a! the cross OF
each mark two pieces in each place ::
leave the ground rough, and when the
sprouts are just beginning TO break
through the ground cross harrow them
with a ligh; harrow this will kill all
the weeds that are then growing on the
ground.
As soon as the potatoes are up. so
that you can see to follow the rows. 90
into them with your p!ows and cult
vators and don't be afraid to .'plow
deep while sluggards sleep, do not
mulch them but keep the ground clear
and loose. and when the harvest comes
you will find that you are well reward
ed for your labor.
Many of our farmers are becoming
discouraged on account of insect pests.
but if they will adopt the last system
that | have given, with the use of Il
little Paris green, they will find that
they will be Of but very little conse-
quence.
AS an ILLUSTRATION of this fact would
like to call the attention of your read
ers to the experience of some of our
farmers this year. will first mention
Mr.. Pickcns, who planted about seven
teen acres of potatoes this year, which
were all destroyed by wcbworms. In
speaking to Mr.. Pickcns about his po-
tatocs he said tina; the tumble weeds
were thick in them, and when he cut
them out. the worms eat up his whole
crop of potatoes, so that lie "wOuld not
get back his seed" I find this to be
the story of many of our farmers this
year Mr.. John Lane and Mr.. Good
rich say, their potatoes We're served in
the same way.
Now | claim that the eggs. out OF
which the wcbworm is hatclicd. i. de-
they are Matched they live on the
weeds, mo one has ever heard Of the
worms injuring the vines. while the
weeds were among them. on the con
trary the worms invariably eat the
weeds, where the weeds and vines
stand together.) Now if these weeds
are cut out from among the potatoes
they will of course Immediately die.
and the worms will leave the dead
weeds and 20 10 the potato tops foi
sustenancc. Then under these circum-
stances the simple remedy for web
worms is. keep your ground clean and
free from weeds, and you will find thai
webworms will not trouble YOU nor
your vines.
would like To refer the reader t.
Albert A. Porter and Horace Porter.
of Park township, these gentlcmcn
have seen field of potatoes, contain
ing six acres, growing this year, on'
half of which was troubled with weed
and worms. and the other was not. J
think the above gentlemen will sub
stantiatc me III the statements that !
have made OBSERVER.