The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-16

Vate 1t. Not every farmer can put pota-
toes IN a regular rotation, but undoubtly,
the farmer who has the right
kind of land would do well
to plant some part of field in potatoes
In regular rotation potatoes should fol-
low clover. When potatoes are second
airy crop and the clover sod is wanted by
the owner for some crop he thinks more
important, rye can be sowed in the corn
IN the fall and turned under in the spring
Tor potatoes. / prefer a rich, sandy loan,
well-drained The soil should have
depth, so that it can be plowed eight or
ten inches deep. If the soil is thin, it
should be gradually deepened every year,
until you have eight or ten inches of
gooo soil, then you can plow deep and
raise good potatoes. Clods have no place
IN potato patch, and the ground should
be thoroughly narrowed before it
dries out; harrow until every clod
disappears. One of the strongest
arguments in favor of commercial ferti-
llzers is their effect upon potatoes. No
stable manure should come near potato,
az least not nearer than twelve months.
II the land has been well supplied in pre-
vious years with clover roots and stable
manure, 1t may be sufficient 10 turn under
a clover sod or rye that has been pastured
during the winter On most land, COM
merclal fertilizers win be a decided benefit
to potatoes. A fertilizer analyzing 4 per
cent OF nitrogen, 10 per cent. of phos-
phoric acid and z per cent. of potash
should be used in the proportion of 200 TO
l,OUO pounds per acre, according to the
SOIL, half of the fertilizer to be scattered
broadcast and narrowed in and the other
half applied in the drill in the usual way
The seed is an important item. Only
good, sound potatoes should be used for
seed, and thOselwhose vitality has not been
impaired by sprouting. How and when
to cut the potatoes depends upon the
variety and time of planting. When
planting very early prefer to have the
potatoes cut some days before planting;
when planting late and in dryer soil,
want them cut as planted. Some varieties
40 best when cut to one eye; some should
De cut TO two eyes. Every eye should
have its fair share of the substance of the
potato The plan of cutting the ewes
thin and cooking the center of the
potato is a relic of barbarism
which should not be practiced by any
Intelligent farmer Planting should be
done in this latitude early in April some
times in March for early varieties The
late varieties, also do best whenplanted in
April. Whether planted by hand or with
an improved planter, the work should be
thoroughly done. l find the following a
good plan: Run burrows six inches deep
and three feet apart dropping the pieces
of potatoes fifteen inches apart in the
bottom of the burrows, and covering
three rows at time with a slant
tooth harrow. After planting, harrow
at least three times again, the last
time crosswise, just as the pota-
toes come up. Then every week, if the
weather permits, or after every rain. as
soon as the ground is dry enough, even if
1t should be twice a week, run through
the potatoes with cultivator. For the
first cultivation | like a scooter or sub
soil plow that loOsens the soil for six or
eight inches then the Planet, Jr., loosen
ing the soil two or three inches, is the
best. Keep up the cultivation until the
tops take the ground, and there is no pos
sloiIity of weeds growing. I could never
see any injury from cultivating potatoes
shallOwly after the blossoms appeared,
but in fact | know that it helps the crop.
i have never been bothered with blight,
but II were l would not hesitate to use
the Bordeaux mixture properly diluted.
Shabby potatoes can be avoided by using
sound seed, putting the same ground in
potatoes not oftener than once in three
years, using no stable manure at the
time of planting. but applying the year
before. An application of lime at the
rate of one hundred bushels per acre
about once in five years is beneficial to
the potatoes as well as TO other crops.
When you have convenient market,
early potatoes pay best when they
are dug before they are ripe. Never
ship unripe potatoes any distance. The
late potatoes should be dug in September
in time to put the ground in wheat.
They should be put in bushel
boxes as fast as dug and stored in an out
house until there is danger of freezing,
and then they should be stored in a cool,
well-ventilated potato cellar. A we'll
prepared pit is better than poor cellar
for storing potatoes through the winter.
Potatoes, after being dug, should be ex-
posed to light as little as possible For
varieties, the Freeman and Rural New
Yorker No. 2 will be found to answer
every purpose both for early and late
potatoes. In conclusion, would reiterate
the Importance of thoroughly preparing
the ground, planting early, using sound
seed, repeated narrowing before the
potatoes are up, one deep cultivation
loosening the soil at least eight inches
and continual shallow cultivation until
tops completely cover the ground.