Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-08
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Best Method Of Planting Potatoes.


This is question that is prob
ably as well understood as any
other connected with a farmers
business, and nearly every garden
can show a nice plant of we'll
grown vines at the proper season.
But garden culture of potatoes Is
one thing, and field culture is an
other, yet We can easily see by the
results that are obtained on small
plants where they are planted
closely and worked with hoe anu
spade, that they are capable OF
attaining their highest perfection
in very crowded quarters. In Ordi'
nary field culture not more than
one.third OF the vines are planted
that would grow to perfection, II
the supply OF fertility is unstinted'
Less are put in, or the rows are
farther apart to allow Of the free
passage of a cultlvatOr.
In this fast age, and in the grow
ing Of every crop we raise, the
question of the cost Of production
is the all important one. II this
is greater than the average selling
price we must quit the business or
improve our methods. We cannot
expect Uncle Sam to come IN and
prohibit the transportation OF po-
tatoes from one state 10 another,
levy a duty on the successful
grower for the benefit Of the slow
coach farmer, who insist that they
must be covered with hoe and
dug with q fork.
There are Just two ways TO Oet'
ter our condition by growing po'
tatoes in this latitude for any
other.) One is by increasing the
yield, and the other by lessening
the cost of cultivation and gather
ing the crop. The first Of these
results can only be reached by
manure and a suitable mechanical
condition of-the soil. The second
can be greatly improved by the
manner of planting.
| am going to advocate close
planting, and IN few words tell
why. No two crops can fully &C.
cupy the same space at the same
time, IS the first and chief reason.
If the surface is not entirely &C.
cupied 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 a second crop OF
weeds to flourish on the vacant
spaces, and unless these are kept
in subjecnon by horse and hand
culture, they spread over the en-
tire surface, as the vines ripen, to
the injury of the crop, and the
great annoyance Of the men who
have to hunt tor the tubers, thus
perhaps adding the labor Of now
ing over the field and gathering a
useless crop OF ragweed and fox
tail grass, first.
You may say this can only be 10
a wet season, bat we are liable to
have a week OF such, any year,
after potato tops have spread over
the ground and cultivation has
ceased, or 1t may continue too
muddy to harvest the crop until
the grass has taken full possession.
Where the entire surface is a
mat of potato vines, there will be
no fall grasses growing, and few
weeds of stronger growth can
start, where they are kept smother
ed while young.
This thing has been tried else
where, and in this county with the
most satisfactory 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 harrow until 3
inches high, and when l foot high,
a single dressing with o Malta
pillow or a wheel cultivatOr com.
pletes the Job. If you don't be-
lieve it, just try lt.-COr. Of the
American Farmer.