The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-05-28

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than any one of the great grain pro
ducts. Still, there is no crop grown
to which is given as little attention
On the farm, if anything has to bt
| left till the last, the potato patch us
ually comes in for that position. There
is just as much difference between
right and wrong management in po-
tato culture,as there is in the right and
wrong of anything else, and upon this
observance the success of the crop de-
ipends. How common it is toload In
to the wagon lot of potatoes of all
sorts and sizes, put in aplow and start
| for the field, to plant what is to be one
of the principal crops of the farm.
The land selected for the purpose, us
ually constitutes piece of corn or
wheat stubble, having no previous pre-.
paration, and lying in the condition
left by the preceding harvest. A fur
row being made across the field with
a common stirring rlow, into it the
potatoes are dropped on "solid basis" "
and The next furrow covers them.
So on for every third or fourth furrow,
as the case may be, until the finish.
The seed is ofpn dropped by hands
without judgment, regardless of dis
tance OF quantity Excepting perhaps,
once narrowing, tla0 land receives no
cultivation until e!lough growth has
taken place to render plowing conven-
lent, and then cultivation is often done
sparingly, Indeed, such men are oc-
c,.sionaliy found who claim that thor
ough cultivating Injuries the .sset' of
tubers, and the growth will largely 90
Ito the vine. Investigation will show
the facts to be just the contary. AS
to the time of planting many disagree
Liberal returns haze been gained for
various periods. Sometimes early IN
MAY, however, is considered the least
Objectionable. but quite as good results
have been attained by planting after
the twenty fifth. Many prefer late
planting for winter use, but as a gen.
eral thing it will be more satisfactory,
to have finished, for the main crop,
by the middle of May.
Potatoes do best in yeay rich sol,
the richer the better. A clay loan
will be found best for all root crops
and tnbers and especially the potato.
But the soil must be mellow to a great
depth if not SO naturally, deep plow-
ing and tile drainage are remedies.
The potato requires q rich soil to feed
from, and a mellow spot in which to
expend and grow. Land where timb-
er has grown is betterthon the prairie
The plowing up of 4 cloyar meadow
| furnishes new land. which. in point Of
richness about equals few timber soil
In the application Of manure twill
never do to use anything that has not
become thoroughly rotted. The pro-
cess of decomposition causes imperfect
development of the timber, aud greatly
injuries its quality pesatocs will not
do well IN soil that has i tendency to
to be always very moist tliey will grow
small, and inferior in atsality, besides
being rough III appearance.
AS to the best mode Of planting al!
do not agree. Special advantages are
offered In either hill or drill culture.
but the latter seems to be far more
general in practice. In light soil with
Il we'll maintained moisture, such as tile
drainage affords, hill culture is adyan-
tageous, inasmuch as plowing both
ways is rendered possible. The potato
requires a great amount of moisture
TO give it size. Thus, by planting in
drills, the moisture is saved from eyap-
loration by more shade being given.
| Where it is desired to do plowing both
ways the hills shovld de in check row
three feet apart, with two pieces to the
hill. In drills, not over three feet ap
art, the distance of dropping should
be about fifteen inches, aud only one
piece in place.
just as much depends npon good
seed for potato crop as sor any other
and the seed mnst have the right kind
Of preparation. Good, smooth, medium
sized potatoes should be used. Sinai
seed will invariably grow unevenly siz.
ed potatoes. Scabbiness III the seed
vii. always be reproduced in the prod.
uct. Cut to single eyes, and never use
the cluster Of small eyes for planting
as the result would be i LOT ef MINER
charitable potatoes. 1t is y mistake II
biant POTATOES in hard ground. Deer
plowing and thorough working ofth.
soil are essential before planting.
4 Great benefit comes from work done
at the start. When the plants begir
to break through the soil, take slantinl