Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-05-21
Producing Large Crops Of Potatoes.

have given special attention TO the cul-
ture of potatoes for years, with results far
better than from any other crop that l have
grown. / plant only the leading varieties
principally Early Rose and only one variety
in a field. prefer TO let others do the ex-
perimenting with the many different varieties
that have not found their WAY into market
yet. Secondly, plant only perfect seed, Sc
lected to a nicely. They are not the largest
or the smallest, but such as any one would
call a stable baking potato. | believe in
cutting. but not 10 single eyes. l cut from
three to four eyes to piece. which, however,
l defer till the very time Of planting This
lnsures me growth in every hill Cutting
too long before planting causes the potatoes
TO dry and become spongy, which prevents
them from making a vigorous start and Of
ten causes many hills to miss l always con-
slider a vigorous start the secret of good
crop. think that the cut should be fresh.
so tina. the moisture from the potato causes
the earth to adhere TO it, and draws the uu-
triment from the soil more readily. and in
stead of n sickly plant, it makes its appear
ance vigorous and very dark-almost the col
or Of the soil.
My method of planting probably differs
from many others Many farmers row their
fields both ways so a. to enable them to Gull
tivate both ways, ana have the hills distinct
l row my field only one way. feet inches
apart. then plant il drills, dropping the
potatoes about II inches apart. They are
well covered by a coveIer drawn by two
horses After they make their appearance, l
cover them again TO the depth of two or more
inches This has a two-fold tendency: it
causes the vines to stock more, and also
checks the growth Of weeds. After they are
well up the second time in fact as soon as
they puncture the earth OF the second cover
ing, commence working with the cultiva-
tor, and always feel well paid for extra cult
walton. In fact | never feel better paid for
any farm labor than for the man and horse
kept in the field till the tops become too large
to work among The final killing is deferred
till the tops nearly cover the ground Every
weed which has escaped the cultivator is pull
ed up root and branch, which leaves the
more nourishment for the crop; besides il is
really gratifying 10 see a field, let it be large
or small, without weed or anything except
what pertains 10 the crop
Will also give my method Of preparing
the soil We cannot expect 10 receive from
the sol unless We give freely; therefore !
claim that i've acres well MANFRED and well
titled, viii bring greater return than twice
that number OF acres worked at" ANY
thing worth doing 1t all is worth doing we'll"
put as much barnyard manure on my field
as will pillow under l pillow early. for the ac-
uon OF the air Is very beneficial 10 the soil
1t becomes light and mellow The blowing
should be done as soon a. the soil is suitably
dry, and the more cultivation it receives the
better the crop. l turn a furroW about
inches wide and inches deep. using Joint
er attachment l allow it TO lie in furrow
about three weeks, when / give it a thorough
narrowing; then follow with cultivator The
latter is repeated two or three times. before
planting. The first of June is soon enough
for Early Rose, though the number Of acres
often forces us 10 commence planting little
sooner.
In 1871 I marketed lOI barrels Of Early
Rose per acre after using for the family til
digging time ana placing 80 bushels in cellar
Tor winter USE, beside 80 bushels selected for
seed The crop was sold for Sl25 per bar
rel bringing per acre Sl2G.2j. The same
ground was planted TO Early Rose the follow
ing year. After using for family till digging
aud saving 100 bushel, for seed and 80 for
winter use, l marketed - barrels at - per
barrel-sLjO per acre. Last wear l market
ed ., zoo. bushels from j. acres. leaving 200
bushels for seed and 100 bushels Of prime ia.
BILE potatoes for home use. The .. 700 bush
els were sold for 33 cents per bushel Of 60
pounds which was an average of S74.2i per
acre.
Perhaps a few remarks on keeping seed
potatoes would not be amiss Altar select
ing the seed put them in trenches about
30 inches wide and 10 inches deep. and as
wide as the case may require. I cover them
with straw foot deep or more with about
five inches Of soil on top After the ground
Is well frozen, ! apply straw a foot deep or
more, which prevents the frost from tscap-
ing, and keeps the potatoes from sprouting.
They can be left through till time for plant
ing, without injury, and will come out of the
plt in spring as fresh as when covered in the
fan
l am preparing twenty acres or more.