Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-04-02

much better will be the growth that in
majority OF cases corn planted ten
days later in thoroughly prepared
soil, will soon make q larger growth
than that planted earlier in less thor
oughly prepared soil. While, with the
advantage of being able to commence
the cultivation earlier after planting,
cleaner work can be done. j. Shop
herd.
The Potato.
The history OF the commonest vege-
table is not without interest. The pota-
to was under cultivation in some parts
of South America at the time of the
discovery of America. 1t was intro
duced into Virginia in the latter half Of
the sixteenth century. De Condelle
says it was first imported into Europe
by the Spaniards, and afterwards by the
English. The early history Of the pota-
to Is connected with the name of Sir
Walter Raleigh, who is said to have
carried home some tubers of Virginia
potatoes for cultivation on his own
estate near Cork. Possibly because it
became eventually 80 important an arti-
Gle of food in Ireland. it has long been
known as the "Irish" potato, though
this name also seems to distinguish it
II ON the sweet potato.
A story has been told regarding Par
mentier, a Frenchman, who was taken
prisoner by the Prussians at time when
potatoes were not cultivated by the
French, but were plentiful in Prussia.
Much to their disgust, the French pris-
oners were fed upon potatoes. Instead
of complaining of his fare, Parmentier
devoted himself to learning all he could
regarding the culture and use of the new
vegetable. Upon his return to France
he induced the king to give him land
upon which to grow experimental crops
of potatoes. When the potatoes
bloomed the King wore some of the
flowers in his button hole, and when
the tubers were ripe had them served
on bis table. In this way potatoes be-
came suddenly the fashion, much so
that, although the field was guarded by
day, the people stole the potatoes at
night. But, as a general interest in the
subject was the thing desired, no harm
betell the thieves, and potato-culture in
France was henceforth assured.
The potato plant has three kinds of
branches, those bearing the ordinary
leaves, those containing the flowers, and
the wonderful subterranean branches
which accumulate starch at their ex
tremlties in the form of tubers. 1t ls-
perhaps, the most important vegetable
grown. The Peruvans formerly used
potatoes even to make bread, which was
called "chunns," and in many countries
they are still considered no mean sub
stitute for the staff of life. Yet potatoes
contain so much starch that, however
excellent as one feature of our food sup
ply, they are not sufficiently nutritious
as a chief article of diet.
Many varieties of potatoes have been
originated from the seed. but they are
all classed under the two divisions
"early" and "late.' It is scarcely
worth while for the farmer to buy high
priced novelties to plant, as it is better
to wait unit! the new varieties are test
ed, and it is proven that they have
unwise to be so old fogy as to refuse to
able in price, and to continue planting.
year after year, the same old deterior
ated variety, which was we'll enough
years ago, but has long since been SUI
perseded.
AS regards early and late potatoes.
the experience of recent years leads to
the decision that it is better to plant all
potatoes early. Some of the early kinds
make good winter potatoes if properly
and they are less liable to
disease than the late ones. There is di-
versity OF opinion regarding the cutting
of potatoes for planting. Some planters
hold that uncut potatoes will produce
an earlier crop than cut ones, while 9TH
ers claim that too many shoots are sen
up from whole ones, and that they do
not produce any earlier or better pota-
toes than the cut ones do. There is also
an objection against using small potatoes,
On the ground that like produces like"
while some persons insist that there is
no better way of disposing Of small po-
tatoes than by planting them.
After many experiments we have de-
cided the vexed question for ourselves,
and pursue in peace, with success, the
following method: A week or two be-
tore needed tor planting cut large pota-
toes lengthwise and across, allowing two
Or three eyes to piece. Use, if posi-
Die, potatoes that have not sprouted. as
sprouts impair the vitality. The ones
Just beginning to show signs of sprout-
ing are fine tor this purpose. If pota-
toes are scarce the hearts of the largest
ones may be used for cooking. Even
Feelings have been known to produce
fair potatoes, but it is we'll the eyes
should have good food supply. Select
new, rich timber land for potatoes, if
possible; next to this, sod. The ground
should be well MANFRED, plowed deep,
and packed with heavy roller. Pota-
toes should not only be we'll Guilt
waited, but they should be cultivated at
the right time. In dry season the
moisture from below should be kept
from escaping by means of mulch of
fine earth on the surface. If the soil is
kept we'll pulverized the rain that falls
does more good. The ground should
never be allowed to bake after rain.
To pre- pare the ground, plant potatoes,
harrow the ground level, and cover it
eight inches deep with straw. insures
no trouble with weeds, and fine lot of
,ubers, which it is pleasure to pick up
instead of digging when the straw is
removed. For those who love an album
lance OF straw this is the mode of Gull
;ure "par excellence" 1t is always
we'll to plant few in this way, as, if the
season chances to be dry, the crop is
more certain.
The finest kind Of potatoes have few
lowers, but it i'd thought that removing
;he, flowers improves the yield, and
some growers are careful, when the
IL oF 30