Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-05-13
AGRICULTURAL.
DEEP pLAyTIya OF POTATOES.


Potato growers should bear i'll mind
that the varieties that produce tubers
close together require richer ground than
those that are scattered, rs their roots are
more circumscribed, and have to rely
upon more limited space for support.
This space, therefore, must be made rich
er. But it allows closer planting; and
rs the tubers are more closely set-hllls
and rows nearer together-the yield Will
be larger, and of course the profit great
er. 1t is for this reason that the Early
Rose is so productive in rich soil, and
unproductive on poor land. The close
growers also require deeper planting, to
prevent showing above ground, as, being
in n cluster, the upper ones will show rs
ordinarily planted, or even If put Ill an
inch or two deeper. Seven, or in sandy
soil eight, inches is the proper depth. 1t
is different where the tubers are scatter
ed, as there is no crowling to the surface,
and hence no exposure to the light, un-
less hilling is practiced Level culture
is required for this kind, and heavy
mulching, after cultivation has closed, Is
a decided benefit. Mulching cannot be
too much insisted upon in potato culture.
as il shades the ground, and thus adds to
the coolness, the great requisite OF this
plant. If to this is added depth, the
greatest heat may be deiied, and, to a
yerv large extent, the drouth also, which
is another enemy of this plant. But
neither deep planting nor mulching are
much observed And it is for this reason
that the crop fails i'll hot or dry season,
and If the two extremes of heat and
drou,h are combined it will be total
loss. | have seen this IN the best OF
ground.
To deep planting and mulching may be
added the early putting out of the crop,
by which also coolness and moisture are
secured, the ground at good depth be-
ing then moist even should n drouth oc-
cur. Besides, the early sor.s will mature
before the midsummer heat and drouth
begin. and the late varieties shade the
ground before that time, needing only
mulching and deep set TO secure them
against all weather if the ground is rich
enough and mellow Late varieties are
often caught III the fall by the frost. They,
therefore, want all the help We can give
them, including early planting and growth
continued during unfavorable weather.
They will then escape the frost and i'll
cTeuSt lutll stiSo
The potato is a coarse plant, and is very
exactinS it does not therefore receive
the treatment it should have. 1t can also
be made one of our most reliable crops.
A long experience and great variety of
treatment confirm all this. But the prin-
ciples that favor must he carried out, or
it will be one of the least remunerative of
all farm crops. A sandy or gravelly loan
is the best soil, with deep planting and
heavy mulching Sand especially re-
quires the latter. 1t will keep down the
weeds readily after the hurt they receive
from cultivation, and preserve moist
surface, furnishing at the same time plant
food to continue the growth. There IL
much disinclination to mulching, yet it is
one of the principal aids i'll successfully
growing tins wnt,r-i man;ling plant. APP
ply straw if old or PARTIALLY rotten, all
the better The Light color will reflect
the heat The frequent working of the
soil, and the mulching, admirably prepare
the ground for future cropping.
Couatgy Gentleman.