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

to which is given rs little attention
On the farm, if anything has to be
left till the last, the potato patch us
;s;;..lliyjf s;.liy comes il fer 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-
pends. How common it is to load in
to the wagon lot of potatoes of all
sorts and sizes, put in plow 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 q 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
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 ofAn dropped by hands
without judgment, regardless of dis
tance or quantity. Excepting perhaps,
once narrowing, Iosland receives no
cultivation until e5ough growth has
taken place to renaer plowing conyen-
lent, and then cultivation is often done
sparingly, Indeed, such men are oc-
casionaliy found who claim that thor
ough oultivating Injuries the .sset" of
tubers, aud the growth will largely 90
to the vine. Investigation will show
the facts to be just the contary. As
to the time of planting many disagree
Liberal returns have been gained for
various periods. Sometimes early IN
MAY, however, is considered the least
Objectionable. but quite rs good results
have been attained by planting after
the twenty fifth. Many prefer late
planting for winter use, but as gem
cral thing it will be more satisfactory,
to have finished, for the main crop,
by the middle of May.
Potatoes do best in q yeay rich soil,
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 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 a cloyar meadow
furnishes new land, which, in point of
richness about equals rev timber soil
In the application Of manure twill
never do to use anything that has not
become thoroughly rutted. The pro-
cess of decomposition causes imperfect
development OF the tnbef. and greatly
injuries its quality. Potatoes will not
do well in soil TINT has b tendency to
to be always very moist g]aey will grow
small, and inferior in quality, 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 cnlturt,
but the latter seems 10 be far more
generalin practice. In a light soil with
a 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 q great amount of moisture
TO give it size. Thus, by planting in
drills, the moisture is saved from eyap-
Grafton bv 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, and only one
piece in a place.
Just as much depends npon good
seed for potato crop as sor any other,
and the seed must have the right kind
Of preparation. Good, smooth, medium
sized potatoes should be used. Small
seed will invariably grow uneven.y siz-
ed potatoes. Scabbiness III the seed
will alwaysbe reproduced IN the prod
nct Cut to single eyes, aud never use
the cluster of small eyes for planting,
rs the result would be u lot Of unmer-
chantable potatoes. 1t is mistake to
blant potatoes in hard ground. deep
piowing and thorough working OF tho
soil are essential before planting.
Great benefit comes from work done
at the start. When the plants begin
to break through the soil, take slanting
teothed smoothing harrow, and 60 over
the ground thoroughly, repeating the
operation in about week after the