The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-09-15
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Potatoes and Their Culture.

Potatoes and Their Culture.
The Country Gentleman recently pub
lished an article in favor of level culture
for the potatoes. To this an Iowa cor
respondent, who says he makes the Gull
tivation of the potato a specially, taxes
exception. He says:
"The objection to the billing process
was that it left the fine roots exposed to
the heat of the sun and drought. will
admit such to be the easel the billing Is
done TOO late, say after the roots have
made a large growth and become estab-
lished; but I find the roots will adapt
themselves to the condition they find the
ground placed in; they will keep at the
proper distance below the surface to OBJ
tain the proper degree of heat and moist
ure. If the hillingi is done too late, after
the roots become established, there n
doubleday will be great damage lone TO
the crop. But I find, If properly hilled
before there is any appearance OF the
blossoms, that the yield will be fully
double that of level culture.
"The potato wants q loose soil n
cool position to expand and develop in,
and in which mode ofculture can 1t best
obtain these conditions? I think we
must all acknowledge that o properly
constructed hill is looser and the tubers
are kept cooler than in fat culture. II
the best results are obtainable from hal
culture, why is it that all the Bliss pre-
NUNS were obtained by hill cultureP In
all that series of experiments there was
not a premium taken with fiat culture,
but by the largest of killing, using in
most cases all the earth between the
rows.
"Ast to my mode of planting, I plant
on summer fallow or fall blowing; mark
my ground one way; get my seed ready;
have q boy to drop; take my stirring
plow; lay off the land opposite way to
whichit Is marked; plow on each land
alternately, while the boy drops the one
Just plowed; drop in each third furrow.
Thus l pillow my ground and plant my
potatoes without any extra cost beyond
the services of the boy. / then have
the sets in a good seed bed-no drying
out. When they begin to break ground
Lput the harrow on and thoroughly
pulverize the soil. This destroys all
weeds and gives the potatoes a good
start before cultivation is needed. l
then plow each way with the cultivator,
and the last time l use a large SINGLE
shovel plow, going once in a row each
way. / then 20 through with a hoe
and draw in the corners Of those squares,
leaving the hill round"
The experience Of others must be
interesting and might prove valuable,
and the present is not an inappropriate
season in which to give it.
Application OF Manure.
The reader Of the agricultural jour-
mails of the day will notice that many
old customs and methods in farm oper-
atoms are giving place to others, some
new in both theory and practice, and
others only variations o. old methods,
that produce better results. Through
the farm paper, these new and improved
methods are made common property to
all who read such papers. No one. at
this day, need be long at a loss for in.
formation, if he advertises his need OF
it.
Not very long ago manure was all ap..
piled in one way-spread on the land
and plowed under. But the idea that
plants feed near the surface began to
be entertained. It was observed that
the elements of plant food in tue soil
were drawn toward the surface by the
earth losing its moisture.
The chief work of putting in q crop
consists in thoroughly incorporating
the n with the soil. To do this
we'll the field must be narrowed until
the manure is all worked in. If litter
manure is used this is a task not easily
accomplished. It is best done, perhaps,
with a slanting tooth barrow. II a
sulky cultivator is used the first time
going over the field, it will be in much
better condition for the harrow.
Among the useful devices in pulver.
izing the soil is the spring-tooth harrow.
If there is long stubble OF straw manure
to be covered the spring Of the teeth
will keep it from drawing into
heaps. as the common harrow does
it. The splendid crops that are
grown in the Reserve. where but a
few years ago it was supposed to
be impossible, is sure evidence that sue
cess may be achieved in growing grain
crops il we set resolutely to work,
avoiding errors of the past, and adopt
ing new methods that have been
proved superior. CORRESPONDENT Practi-
cal Farmer.
Household Hints
The yolk of an egg binds the crust
much better than the whites. Apply it
to the edges with brush.
Old potatoes may be freshened up by
plunging them into cold water before
cooking them.
Never wash raisins that are to be used
in sweet dishes. 1t will make the pud-
ding heavy. To clean them wipe in a
dry towel.
In boiling dumplings of any kind put
them into the water M at a time. II
they are put in together they will mix
with each other.
Outlets and steaks may be fried as
well rs broiled, but they must be put in
hot butter or lard. The grease is hot
enough when it throws of q blackish
smoke.
There is a greenness in onions and
potatoes that renders them hard to
digest. For health's sake put them in
warm water for an hour before cook
inc