The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-07
The Irish Potato-Growing the "Sec-
ond Crop"

From one corner to the other of our
broad country this great vegetable finds
cultivation at the hands of every indi-
vidual that makes the shadow of an effort
in the way of a garden. No line can be
drawn.
A rortion of this same ''long" country
is blessed with the power to grow two
crops of 1.-TWO distinctive crops, grow
ing the second from potatoes grown in
first. Here it needs be a line must be
drawn. but we admit we cannot draw it,
Possibly some readers near the line of
"demarkationT may heIp US TO draw it.
For the present, however, it is sufficient
TO say that in all that region of our coun-
try south Of line embracing the whole
of the two states, Tennessee and North
Carolina, it is possible, we believe, to
grow the second crop. In other words,
in that section where the average period
embraced between the last killing or
damaging frost of spring and the first
frost of like intensity in the autumn is
seven months, more or less. Or we might
nut it in these words. Where the plant
ing of the first crop is safely and APP
propriately made in February it is posi-
bic to grow a second crop of Irish pota-
toes This doubtless is a very liberal
statement, for if we are not mistaken a
second crop is possible IN sections of Ten
nessee where the most appropriate
time for planting the first crop
is considered to be early in March
The standpoint of the writer is lati-
tude 80, Middle Georgia. Here Irish po-
tatoes (cutl terminate in three weeks,
usually when planted on Feb 5, say 1t
may vary a little from this as any de-
parture from normal weather in Janu-
airy may influence. Not to multiply
words however, we plant our first crop
Feb. to 20. This crop natures in May
June according to variety and character
of soil. The second crop is planted July.
August, and we tried several plans Of
growing the crop before the best plan
was adopted some ten years ago without
enumerating those that were not salts
factory we state briefly the one that we
tank is 10 be preferred to all others.
Using for part of the first crop po-
tatO like early Ohio, e. Rose, Vermont, or
even the long known E. Goodrich. A po-
tatO well deserving monument along
with the Rose. The potatoes are har-
vested the moment the vines lose their
yerdant appearance and those averaging
the size of an unhulled walnut are care
fully stored away in as dark, cool, dry a
place as possible, spread out as much as
possible and covered lightly with pine or
other straw.
Along about July lit is not possible to
speak more definitely the seed potatoes
are exposed TO the light for several days
are then taken out and near as possible to
Water-ln my case a well-the soil is
slooped out several inches and, after
putting down a layer of straw,
the potatoes are spread out two
or three deep. They are well sprinkled
with water, a thin layer of straw put on,
winch is also moistened; then two or
tnree inches of soil If rain does not oc-
cur IN the course of six or seven days suf-
nclent water to keep the potatoes moist is
supplied. The aim IS to get them to point
ready to sprout, if not partially sprouted
og planting-on time.
IN the meantime the land is being
poWed and made ready for the seed leav-
ing II deeply furrowed. About the first
week IN Augusta little earlier some
times, perhaps-but little later rather
man an earlier-the potatoes are care
!uIy dropped in the furrow Is
~ inches apart, pressing them
4FaV with the foot into the
yielding soil. If a ram occurs to
wet the soil Just one day or two before
painting 1t will be great help to be sure,
oul one cannot wait many days for the
ram As remarked, press the potatoes
HrmIy INTO the soil with the foot. After
- AlHL Low VI CulblN dlOE Oh DObu
si1eS OF the seed furrow run roller over
tne same. In from ten to fourteen days
IEne plants will make their appearance
LUuFate promptly and shallow, with
narrow or cultivator, or sweep 1t may
oe necessary to give one narrowing before
us plants AXE their appearance. In
n.louIe Georgia, as rule, growth contin-
oeS 10 the latter part of October. The
crop can BE- banked in same manner IS
sweet potatoes.
o, "nere only a small area is devoted to
ou's Sc, ond crop, say quarter of an acre.
or less, it is good plan, and frequently
observed. TO cover the potatoes freel Y
, ",.A pine straw, almost filling the furrow
NJ "IIh IT., after treading in the seed.
ta n's lends to consume moisture and
a HvclS the weeds in check. A two-horse
t MA lodd will go a long ways even where
a 5rg luifoWs are, as they ought to be, deep
is I1t VIDE. Assuming that the soil itself
d. ugeP, OF course, it will not do to go
s s+,|Hu INTO the suDsoil to plant. Shallow
o oS' Ear, are not the kind to grow large crops