Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-07-31
WHOLE NUMBER, 2O1.
AGRICULTURAL.

CULTURE OF PUrAroEs.-Having raised
this vegetable on both prairie and timber
soil, my experience proves that new timber
soil is much the best adapted to growing
potatoes. Forest leaves and leaf mould
are the very best fertilizers for potatoes.
Farmers residing near the timber can easi-
ly gather forest leaves and make q COM
post which would be very valuable.
The manure of stock yards should be
Hcrapcd up with scraper into round or
long heaps, mixing in at the same time q
few tons of leaves and leaf mould. leaving
depression on the top of the pile. into
and slops of the house; also occasionally
adding wood ashes. lime, and salt. Gentle
rains, sufficient to dissolve the compound.
would be of service to assist the fermenta-
tian and prepare the vegetable matter to
absorb the ammonia. Do not allow it to
get too wet, so as to suffer loss by leach
ing. As II substitute for forest leaves, our
prairie farmers can use straw and refuse
hay, of which they have an abundance.
Running it through u hay cutter would
better prepare it for the compost. 1t is
an excellent plan when early crops are
grown to harvest them rs soon rs possible
for the early market, and SOW the ground
immcdiitcly (w:thout plowing) to buck
wheat, millet. or oats. and plough it under
just before freezing.
This will leave the soil light and porous.
and if good, productive varieties are plant
ed and cared for, large crops may be OK
rected. The ground being in good condi-
ton. mark check rows for hills 3x4 or 3x2
feet. If for drills mark 3 feet. and plant
one eye 10 to 20 inches apart, according to
variety. Those Of dwarf-top will do
quite as we'll to be ne lrcr together.
Select tubers large to medium size. cut
one eye in piece, commencing at tho
butt. and turn the tubcr ~ you would in
sharpening pencil. leaving the centre
portion for the top eyes.
prefer planting in checks as above de-
scribed. If the seed is IL new variety and
yon wish to make the most of it, then plant
one eye in checks 3x3 feet. If you wish to
make the most of your ground. plant two
or three eyes in the wide checks for large
spreading tops like the Compton Surprise.
while those of u medium or dwarf tops
should be planted in 3x2 foot checks.
The ground being prepared, plant rs de-
scribed, and cover about four inches
deep with rdging plough, leaving tho
soil as light us possible. Just ~ the
plants are coming up pass seeding bush
crosswise of the ridges. This will sweep
off the small weeds and Jumps; hy the
next morning you will see splendid rows
of potatoes, clean and nice. II you are
IN 4 buggy country, prepare for them by
using Paris green and plaster.
The benefit the plaster will be to tho
crop will pny for putti e it on. Buy the
pure Par,s green, and it will require but
little. well mxel with the plaster. to elk
EN- Plough first time crosswisr Of the
ridges. after which cultivate the other
way Just us soon as they are high enough
to receive dirt sufficient TO cover the wceds.
About twice going through with the hill
ing plough will be sufficient. The last
time ploushins should be just before the
potatoes set. Shoull weeds appear in tho
HILL pull them out. In this way | raise
large crops without hociny. Keep the
bugs OF. and you are all right.