The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-24
Glre 5armer.
How to Grow Potatoes.

We copy from the annual catalogue of
Mr. Charles A. Councilman, of Glyndon,
Baltimore county, Md, who is an extern
sivc and successful grower of Seed Pota-
toes. the following information on "How
to Grow Potatoes as a Field Crop"
Select well drained, level field that
has been seeded to wheat and clover.
After the wheat has been harvested, and
in the drouth of August, run a moving
machine over the stubble Just about the
time the rag weeds are four and five inches
high. Let the cut aftermath remain on
the field. In the following spring roll the
young clover In June, when about half
the clover blossoms are dead, run NOW
ing machine over the field. Let the
clover remain on the ground and right on
top of the thick sward topdress with well
rotted manure-l0 to 20 loads to the acre
The second growth of clover will soon find
its way through and in August run your
mower over the field again. Do not let
hoof tread on the field. Let it remain
until the next spring and as soon as the
ground is in condition to handle, take your
three horse pillow and turn all down as
deep as you can. With spring tooth
harrow work the ground three times. If
there are any weak spots in the field, haul
wheat straw or any rubbish on them and
burn Haul what ashes and hen manure
you have and spread on them. 1t is these
poor knobs that pull down the averge.
Broadcast one ton to the acre of the follow
ing mixture and see that it is thoroughly
mixed before sowing: 1900 lbs. of acid
phosphate, 500 lbs. of kainit, 300 lbs of
muriate of potash. Harrow in with an
Acme harrow. Take an Aspinwall planter
and plant the field 80 inches one way and
II inches apart in the rows. Cut your
potatoes two eyes to piece. Sow in the
rows as you plant 300 lbs. to the acre of
the following mixture per ton; 200
lbs of dissolved animal bone, 400 lbs. of
muriate of potash, 400 lbs. of nitrate of
soda. When the crop is planted harrow it
with an Acme harrow three or four times
before the potatoes are up. They must
be narrowed after every rain. This is a
critical time with the crop. As you have
stored the land with plant food the soil is
fat, the weeds will jump and they must be
destroyed as fast as they sprout. When
the potatoes are 3 to inches out of the
ground, work the field each way with
Breeds weeder. The next working use
your drag and work them with that i'm
plement until the vines commence to
bloom. Then lay the drag aside. The
grower must watch the vines for bugs. If
the season should be dry when the plants
are young and starting and when the eggs
are Matching, spray with stictly pure Paris
Green, % lbs to barrel of water IF
it is wet season at the start, your fat
field will send the plants along 50 fast that
the vines will become so rank the bugs
will give them wide berth.
About the middle of August the crop is
ready TO dig. Take Moline digger and
pillow out every other row; give the pota-
toes about two hours to dry off before you
start your pickers. IF the season has been
favorable the grower will smile at his
yield He should get 400 to 500 bushels
to the acre of graded or marketable tubers.
IF he strikes a dry season, SO to 200
bushels.
This system of growing potatoes will
strike the average farmer as rather OK
pensive, but if faithfully adhered to he
will be surprised in many seasons what
crops he will obtain. Poor lands can be
restored to their former fertility by this
plan, and the sale of potatoes will pay for
the outlay. When the potatoes are dug
harrow your field and sow q bushels of
the Improved White Winter Barley,
which can be had from my farm in
August, and in the spring again SOW to
clover. This potato land will give you so
to go bushels of barley to the acre. Do
not pump the plant food out of your land
by growing corn and timothy hay, but
keep this field for potatoes, which will
always grow you good crops on clover only,
and the longer you work the land the
better it gets.