The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-06-18
SECOND oRop POTATOES.
Valuable Hints i'm Regard to thei
Production.


The following extract is from q
bulletin of the N. G. Experimental
Station
The practice of growing a second
crop OF Irish potatoes from seed OF
the early crop has been practiced for
twenty years, but the Importance OF
this crop to the Southern gardener
has only been realized within the
past few years. Experience has de-.
monstrated that these late grown
potatoes are far better for spring plant
Ing than the Northern potatoes, not
only In the South but Northward, and
the demand for them for planting has
rapidly increased, so that their pro-
duction will soon form II very impor-
tant tenn in the crops of the Southern
gardener.
AT this station we have made regular
experiments for several years to devise
the best mode of producing this crop
with, certainty, and settled upon tho
following as the best mode of treat
ment. The potatoes from which it i
desired to grow the second crop should
be- allowed to remain where thev
grow till perfectly ripe and the tops
are dead. If they are selected from
the culls in digging the partly matured
crop Tor shipping, there will be much
uuSoi Vatipy DO w tuSlF SpfOuUtnR
When the tops are dead take them vi
and allow them to remain a DAYS or E,
exposed TO the light until they turi
/, greenish. Their spread them in an,
: convenient place on the ground AM
+ cover with pine or other straw
i Sprinkle The straw and thereaftel
never allow it to get dry all through
i Prepare the land as for the earl,
o crop except that the fertilization neet
not BIZ % heavy, and run out the row
n by going twice in a furrow with a TURF
pillow and clean out the burrows full ri.
inches deep. As the potatoes undo
which will be from the first to til,
middle of August, plant them in til,
o deep burrows but Over them not NOR,
v than an inch over the top of the tuber
until the green leaves begin to grow
a Then gradually fill in the soil To tn, II
r as they grow, until it is level. TIL,
after culture must be us Lowell as Dos
sible and no killing should be done
the object at this season Of the yea
being o prevent the drying out OF Til,
= soil. The potatoes will sprout earlier
II, before bedding them under tn,
O straw, u small piece is clipped off on,
end and rejected. No further cuttins
a should be done when planting. Tn,
planting should all be lone by til,
q middle OF August. This crop vii
q grow green until the frost cuts tn,
I tops down, Inc their immaturity pre-
vents their sprouting before planting
a time, SO hat when they grow it i
n with the strong growth of the termi
;. nal bud, which gives them a great ad
, vantage over the Northern potatoes
/ that have been long II Of the ground
and have had the sprouts rubbed IF
i, them in the cellar.
i The growing uf Il late crop of potl
, toes Tor table use is a different matter
!. from growing the crop for seed pur
poses. For the table wa want per.
-: fectly mature product. Therefore the
+ planting should be earlier. The seed
Tor this crop arc the potatoes of the
, late seed crop kept over from the pre-.
Vlous season. These will keep over in
, perfect condition for the planting in
July. II kept in a cool dark .ce1ler
they will seldom start their eyes until
warm weather sets in. AS soOn us
they show signs of %sprOuting remove
them at once into full sunlight in u dry
place. The pIouts will then fora
short, stubby anu gr' en-, and will bear
handling without rubbing off. They
should be planted any time in JuIy
when the soil Is in q good and mu st
condition. The planting and cultiva.
t1on should be- the same as for the late
seed crop. This crop win be fully
mature by frost and will kee we'll for
table use. But do not attempt to keep
any ot these for seed, but select all
seed from the regular second crop
potatoes. This crop should become OF
immense value Tor the Southern home
market, for our markets here are still
supplied with potatoes from the North
at prices that would be very profitable
to the home grower.