The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-05-25
Which is the Best Way to Plant
Potafoesp

Which Is the Best way TO Plant
Potatoes?
Communicated.
This is question that is probably as
we'll understood as any other connected
with farmers business, and nearly
every garden can show nice plat Of
we'll grown vines at the proper season.
But garden culture Of potatoes is one
thing, and field culture is another, yet
we can easily see by the results that
are obtained on small plats where
they are planted closely and worked
with hoe and spade, that they are
capable of attaining their highest per-
fection in very crowded quarters. In
ordinary field culture not more than one
third ofthe vines are planted that would
grow to perfection, if the supply of
fertility is unstinted. Less are put in,
or the rows are farther apart to allow
ofthe free passage of a cultivator.
In this fast age, and in the growing
of every crop we raise, the question OF
the cost of production, is the all i'm
portaut one. If. this is greater than
the average selling price, we must quit
the business OF improve our methods.
We cannot expect Uncle Sam to come
in and prohibit the transportation Of
potatoes from one State to another or
levy duty on the successful grower
for the benefit of the slow coach iarm-
er, who insists that they must be COW
cred with hoe and dug with fork
There are just two ways to better
our condition by growing potatoes in
this latitude (or any other.) One is
by increasing the yield, and the other
by lessening the cost of cultivation and
gathering the crop. The first Of these
results can only be reached by manure
and suitable mechanical condition Of
the soil. The second can be greatly
improved by the manner of planting.
am going to advocate close plant
ing and In few words tell why. No
two crops can fully occupy the same
space at the same time, is the first and
chief reason. IF the surface is not en-
tirely occupied with the tops of the po-
tatoes when they have attained their
greatest growth, SO as to be completely
shaded by them, there will be room for
second crop of weeds to flourish on
the vacant spaces. and unless these are
kept in subsection by horse and hand
culture, they spread over the entire
surface, as the vines ripen, to the in
jury Of the crop, and the great annoy
auce of the men who have to hunt for
the tubers, thus perhaps adding the
labor Of moving over the field and
gathering useless crop Of ragweed
and foxtail grass, first.
You may say this can only be in a
wet season, but we are liable to have a
week of such, any year, after potato
tops have spread over the ground and
cultivation has ceased, or it may con-
tinue too muddy to harvest the crop
until the grass has take full possession.
Where the entire surface is mat OF
potato vines, there will be no fall grass,
es growing, and few weeds of stronger
growth can start, where they are kept
smt thered while young.
This thing has been tried elsewhere,
and in this county with the most satis-
factory results. Planted in alternate
burrows or in rows % inches apart. IA
to Is inches in the row, they can be
kept clean of weeds with spike har-
row until 8 inches high and when ] it,
high a single dressing with malta
plow or wheel cultivator completes
the job. If you don't believe it, just
try it. FARMER Boy.
-RSON4-