Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-06-09
IRISH POTATOES.
The Second or Fall, Crop the Most Valued
by Farmers.


The Second or Fall, Crop the Most Valued
by Farmers.
When grown successfully, the second
crop of Irish potatoes, that is, planted
in midsummer and harvested in the fall,
is more to be. valued by the average
grower than the spring or carly summer
crop. Those who grow the early crop
for shipment to northern markets can
make more money, of course, from. the
first crop than they can make on the
second, if their shipments are made
early and properly. There are every
year great many, however, who lose
money on their shipments and merely
come out little ahead on the transac-
ton. OF course every venture in the
world that promises unusual profits is
usually attended with more or less risk
of outright failure.
There are a great many non-producers
who buy and use a much larger quantity
of potatoes in the fall and winter than
they do in the summer. There are so
many other vegetables that enter into
competition with potatoes in the SUM-
mer time, the use of them is not near
so great as it is in the winter, when
other vegetables are not to be had.
So in the home gardens we have al
ways thought that little more atten-
ton should be given the second crop
than is given the first one For every
row that is planted in the spring at
clA,,1l 1No oano,.1o1 +lo
second.
We were long time in finding out
the best method to be pursued with this
late crop, and we experienced alto
gether considerable loss in time and
money in endeavoring to get at the best
method of culture with this crop.
Nose or less generally less) success
followed the observance of other meth
DDS, but the plan that is now given is
the only one that will be regarded as a
good one-until some better one is dis
covered, evolving perhaps the discovery
of potato that will grow right on
through the season like sweet potatoes.
Lay aside all the small potatoes from
the size of an unhulled walnut down to
that of a small hickory-nut, as the crop
is dug in June or early July. Accumu-
late as many seeds as it is desired to
plant, and expose them to the sun until
they assume greenish cast. Then
take and clip off the seed ends of each
small potato, throwing this slipping
away. NA Y1Utf
Near a WE'LL or other convenient
source of water, scoop out place in
the soil eight or ten, inches deep and
line the same with straw or leaves.
Spread out the potatoes in this hollow,
three or four inches deep; cover them
with little straw and then throw on
several inches of soil Wet the seed
before covering with soil from time to
time, every few days If rain does not
fall on the bed, apply enough water to
keep the potatoes steadily moist, After
ten days have expired, begin to watch
for their sprouting and as soon as this
is indicated have the soil made ready to
to receive the seed. Have the land well
plowed and the burrows laid off in
rood time. If a rain occurs to wet
this open furrow just as the seed po-
tatoes have sprouted (sprouts just
started grow so they will not break
off in handling), it will be decided
gain in starting the crop to drop the
potatoes in the burrows as soon after
| the rain as can be done and not toe
wet to pillow, Drop the seed every
fifteen inches and press them firmly
into the mellow soil with the foot
Then with a turn shovel run furrow
each side of the seed furrow, and fai
enough off to make square bed over
the seed. BY this operation enough