The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-11-19

potatoes IRON an acre OLgrOunQ, pro-
vided, of course, the soil has been
well prepared and the proper variety
planted. This is what we consider
fair average crop under such circum-
stances. When dug early, the crop
is not near as large as if they were al
lowed to remain in the ground ard
ripen. In the latter case, fifty barrels
have been grown, and in one instance,
as high as $50 bushels per acre, off
the natural soil, without fertilizer of
any kind. This will afford a very
handsome income, if the price equals
that of the past spring midsummer,
which, we learn from competent au-
thority, gave the producer an average
of So per barrel, net.
PACKING AND SHIPPING.
The city of New Orleans is by far
the most convenient point to ship
from, as the dealer will be more apt
to procure special rates, owing to the
competing lines. Potatoes, if we'll
packed, Keep in good order for a
week or ten days, and will arrive at
the point of sale in prime condition,
When a small quantity only is sent to
market early in the season, we advise
the use of half-bushel crates, which
may be forwarded to their destination
by express. True, it costs more, but
the increased price of the first crop,
by arriving early, will more than pay
for the extra charges tor transporta-
ton. AS the tubers ripen and be.
come more plenty, the fast freight
lines through to Chicago III seventy
hours, and other points in proportion,
afford the best means to place the
crop upon the market. We under
stand that when one person has sui.
ficient quantity to load a car, or
where the neighbors combine for the
same purpose, the average freight ON
a barrel Of potatoes will not exceed
the sum of IS cents, delivered at the
depot in Chicago.
PROBABILITIES OF OVER PRODUCTION.
We do not think there will be any
probability of overstocking the
market for some years to come, for
the demand for early potatoes tar ex.
ceeds the possible supply, and is in.
creasing yearly. Chicago, St. Louis,
Louisville, Cincinnati and other large
cities, besides using a large quantity
themselves, are, in addition, points
from whence are distributed large
amounts of fruits and vegetables, to
the smaller cities and towns, within a
radius of several hundred miles.
Some OF our Louisiana potatoes, we
learn, were sent to Toronto, Montreal
and Quebec, where they were sold at
fancy prices, to the inhabitants OF
those frozen regions.
DIGGING AND PACKING.
New potatoes, owing to their ten
der skin, which is easily rubbed off,
and hastens their decay, should be
dug and handled carefully, and all cut
and bruised potatoes rejected. They
may be exposed to the sun for few
hours, and placed in the barrels in a
perfectly dry condition and packed
very close. =. In order to do this prop
erly, round head, fastened together
with clamps OF a size to fit just within
the chime, should be made by the
packer, the barrel well filed and
heaped up about four inches above
the top, the packing head placed on
the pile and held firm while the bar
rel should be firmly shaken, until the
contents are far enough within to
head up the barrels. This mode is
used by all dealers and shippers, not
only OF potatoes, but oranges and
other fruit shipped from New Or.
leans.
TWO CROPS YEAR.
Irish potatoes, il this latitude, are
marketed in ample Time to leave tie
ground i'll good condition and ready
for another crop. Corn, sweet pota.
toes, peanuts, tobacco or peas, may
be planted for succession. The
best farmers generally follow with
pease as green crop to free the land
from grasses, and pillow under as a
fertilizer, during the latter part of the
season. When it is the intention to
continue gardening and small fruit
growing, we advise the latter course,
which will be found more profitable
in the end.
Water as Protection Against