Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-04-18
NaE1Sa~H
RARMsFogh
~ As Garden
CULTURE OF THE POTATO.
e Summary of the Leading Points In Fer
tiliIatfon For This Tuber.

filtration For This Tuber.
The key 10 the highest success in po-
tato culture is abundant fertilization
with just the right sort Of plant food
q gross feeder. The potato al maintain
its rank and hungry foliage and produce
a big crop Of fine tubers only under ex-
cessIve fertilization. giving the plant
In unstinted supply of the food just
suited 10 it. The result Of So analyses Of
the ash Of the potato {tubers) gives the
average Of potash which il contains as
50 per cent, phosphoric acid IL and
sulphuric acid 81 per cent TO produce
the potato crop in its perfection potash
Is required in larger proportion than
either nitrogen or phosphoric acid. A
study Of 60 reports of the largest yields
Of potatoes grown for the prizes offered
by American Agriculturist, in IA differ
ent states, gives some very interesting
results
4 summary Of the leading points in
fertilization for the potato gathered
from these experiments makes ii appear,
first, that coarse, fresh stable manur is
not a good fertilizer for potatoes. Yet
this does not imply that it is worthless
for this crop. AT the same time, if used
for the potato, it must be applied in a
fine, decomposed condition, spread on
the surface the fall before the crop is to
be planted, thoroughly worked into the
soil and supplemented at planting time
by from 500 10 200 pounds Of COM
mercial fertilizer OF complete manure.
Second, fall manuring is generally a
good preparation for the potato crop,
but not without the application in
spring Of wood ashes, lime, plaster or
commercial fertilizers. Third, some ex-
p~erience with ones soil and with differ
eDt fertilizers is necessary TO the best
results. II one knows from previous ex-
periments whether his soil be lacking
in potash, nitrogen or phosphoric acid,
il will only be necessary TO supply the
element wanting. OF these three indis.
pensable elements the soil may be def
cient il only one or two. The practical
value of soil experiments is the guide
they furnish to subsequent cropping.
Fourth, one thing seems TO have
been settled-in nearly all instances
commercial fertilizers or complete po-
tato manures furnish the best and moss
direct food for the crop in most cases
and in the cheapest form and almost
invariably produce the largest yields
This statement applies only to manufac-
tured fertilizers or home mixtures Of the
highest grade, as none of the contest
ants was foolish enough TO use low
grade goods, which for the potato as for
other quick growing crops are often the
most expensive in the end though cheap
est In first cost
In the method CT Supplying the plant
food the reports show interesting de-
tails. a few of these ~ 'rdicato the
system Of application, IS being
among the largest yielos reported: l.
Total amount used three tons, two tons
broadcast and cultivated in, half a ton
put in drills and half a ton distributed
along the rows when the potatoes were
up. 2. One ton, 700 pounds in furrow,
400 pounds on top Of furrow, 400 pounds
spread and hoed in and 500 pounds be-
tween the rows at the time of hoeing. g..
One and three-fourths tons were used
per acre, one ton broadcast ON the sur
face and cultivated in, half a ton in the
drills. and 600 pounds applied near the
plants Mt hoeing. e. One and oDe-half
tons used, 2, 200 pounds IN drills, 500
pounds around the plants before or when
killing up. 8. One ton and a half used,
one ton in drills before planting. and the
rest placed around the plants at the Sec
ond hoeing. 6. One ton. 500 pounds
broadcast before narrowing. 1000
pounds In and on the sides Of the drills
and mixed with the surface soil.