Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-03-21
How took the First Premium on
Potatoes.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Feb. 1S.

Cor Rural Record.
In 1857 was engaged in farming
in Moore county, North Carolina.
We at that time had County Agri-
cultural Society, of which / was a
member. At the county fair of said
year | took five first premiums, two
on agricultural implements; the resi-
due on farm products. | will describe
the method by which | produced the
largest and finest potatoes on exhibit
ton:
The ground selected was of moder-
ate fertility. Early in February l
applied guano at the rate of 240 pounds
per acre and sowed down in oats.
(The winter oat sown the fall previous
would doubtless have been better. }
After the oats had fully headed, say
about the LIST of June, they were well
turned under with a two-horse pillow.
The ground was not further disturbed
until planting time arrived, which was
the Goth of June. The ground was
then laid off into drills about two and
a half feet apart with a light turning
plow. One of my subscil>coulters was
then run several times in each furrow
until very loose bed was produced.
The ground between the drills was not
disturbed, it being impractical to do so
by reason of the large amount of vege-
table matter that had been buried or
turned under. The seed potatoes were
of the Snow Ball variety, large and
round. They were cut in the usual
way, dropped in the drill about Is
inches apart, one piece in place. A
moderate quantity of wood ashes and
barn.yard manure was then dropped
in the vicinity of each piece, but
said manures were not mixed nor were
they dropped in the immediate vicinity
of each other for the reason that the
ashes have the effect to expel the am.
monia from the barn.yard manure and
thus work an injury. The job was
finished by covering the potatoes light
ly with soil.
About the time the potatoes com.
menced coming up the ground was
covered to proper depth with leaves
from the forest, that had previously
been hauled and piled near by for use
when wanted. After the tops had
made their appearance through
the leaves they were thinned out, leav.
ing only one. the most vigorous stalk,
in place. The surplus plants can be
transplanted, appearing to be as well
fitted for this purpose as sprouts from
the sweet potato. Nothing further
was done only the patch was gone ovel
occasionally and the blossoms pulled
off in order to prevent the formation o.
seed balls. The growth of the tops
was very heavy, potatoes abundant
and fine. | made no calculation to se'
how many bushels were grown PEI
acre, but the potatoes from seven Sc
lected plants flied a half bushel anC
the potatoes from two plants weighed
eleven pounds. l am confident tina
more potatoes can be produced by Civ
ing them distance and thinning to on
stalk than can otherwise be done. Ii
fact, this matter has been decided b,
well conducted experiments which
have not time nor space to relate.
ADVANTAGES OF PLANTING IN MID
SUMMER.
In the Province Of Ecuador, SoutI
America, it Is said that the finest pota
toes of the world are grown. The eli
mate there is usually about 80 degrees
and varies but few over or under dur
ing the entire year.
The climate of North Carolina
naturally too warm for the potatoes
but by planting about the Goth of Jun
they mature in September and OctC
Der, when the climate is of about tn
right temperature. Mulching wit
leaves, or other substances, serves tn
double purpose of keeping the groun
moist and cool. Hence, by planting
in midsummer, with the aid of mulch
ing, an artificial temperature of abou