Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-07-27


Tbs. of seed to the acre.
WHEN THE POTATO SHOULD BE CUT
TOR planting is a question of Importance.
Some farmers, to save time, cut their pota-
toes in the latter part of the winter, or long
before they are needed, and frequently they
are found to have undergone partial decay,
which progresses with great rapidity after
planting. The result is either poor stand
or no stand at all. A neighbor of mine,
who never fails to have a poor stand, told
me that he had tried every way he could
think of to secure good stand, but without
success. He had planted at all seasons Of
the year proper to plant, and in all kinds of
soil; he had planted deep and shallow, but
always with about the same result. But
with all his changes Of soil and season, he
never failed to cut his potatoes in the latter
part OF the winter, Or ut least long before
he needed them. The result has been either
total or partial loss Of his crop. In my
opinion, the proper time to cut potatoes is
few days only before they are needed for
planting sufficient length of time to
allow them to dry well. If this rule was
well observed, am confident there would
be little cause for complaint among farmers
and gardeners about poor stands of pota-
toes. The pieces, after they are cut, should
not be exposed a great length of time to the
rays of the hot sun. have known potatoes
so exposed for two hours in the heat Of the
day fail to germinate.
/ a# WHEN POTATOES SHOULD BE PLANTED
is an important question, and judging from
the difference in the practice of farmers,
there must be great difference of opinion.
But my own observation leads me to think
that those planted early usually succeed
much the best. The chief enemy of the
potato in this country is the potato bug,
which is too well known to require any de-
stription here. 1t usually makes its appear
ance about the 10th of June, and attacks the
young tops with great energy. If the tops
|are small they are less able to stand the
shock than those which have attained to
good size. From this cause it is common
for potatoes planted early to make good
crop, while those planted late may be a fail
lure. 1t is my opinion that in this country,
POTATOES should not be planted later than
the 1st week in May.
There are variety Of modes practiced
BY our farmers in planting. Some drop IN
very third furrow as they plow the ground,
md cover with the next turrow; others
mark their ground, drop, and cover with a
harrow or drag of some kind, while others
mrk and cover with Il tWO-horse turning
plw. usually employ the latter, and think
it he best | leave the ground in ridges
, wich do not disturb until the potatoes
commence coming up, when | sometimes
pas over them with harrow to break any
crst that may have formed and to loosen
tn ground. They should be planted about
thee feet between the rows, and if the soil
isIery good, in drills about ten inches apart;
bu if the soil is poor, larger-sized potatoes
my be obtained by planting from fifteen to
eihteen inches apart in the drills.
} ! cultivating the crop, aim to get and
r mlntain good, high ridges for the potatoes
5 toTow upon. AT the last plowfng, it is
, god plan to hill up with turning plow.
f Bthis means you keep the plants out OF
a resh of any damage from water in irrigat-
: ins the soil around the plants remains loose,
: ana much better yield may be obtained
Y tina can be if the ridges are low and the
e war is permitted to run so near the plants
e as bake the soil around them.
t lirrigating think it is best to turn the
e war into the burrows lightly, and let it
e rua sufficient length of time to thoroughly
= COS bo erroup1 around fha ronf, 70 a.,