Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-03-29
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HNN GARDEN
CULTURE OF THE POTATO.
"A Summary of the Leading Points In Fer
tilization For This Tuber.

w. w. ~ US ~ y ~
"A Summary of the Leading Points In Fer
tilization For This Tuber.
The key to the highest success in po-
tato culture is abundant fertilization
with just the right sort of plant food
gross feeder Tho potato can maintain
its rank and hungry foliage and produce
big crop of fine tubers only under ex-
ossslve fertilization, giving the plant
an unstinted supply Of the food just
suited to it. Tho result Of 53 analyses of
the ash of the potato (tubers) gives the
average of potash which it contains as
60 per cent, phosphorio acid II and
sulphurio acid 61a per cent. To produce
tho potato crop III its perfection potash
is required III larger proportion than
either nitrogen or phosphoric acid. A
study Of GO reports of the largest yields
of potatoes grown for the prizes offered
by American Agriculturist, in l 4 differ
ent states, gives some very interesting
results.
\ summary Of the leading points in
fertilization for the potato gathered
from these experiments makes it appear,
first, that coarse. fresh stable manure is
not 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
t,xy4 Co.. - lg Of
mercial fertilizer or complete manure.
Second fall manuring is generally
good preparation for the potato crop,
but not without the application in
spring Of wood ashes, lime, plaster or
commercial fertilizers. Third, some eX-
perience with ones soil and with differ
ent fertilizers is necessary to the best
results. If one knows from previous OK
periments whether his soil be lacking
III potash, nitrogen or phosphoric acid,
it will only be necessary to supply the
element wanting OF these three indis-
ponsablo clements the soil may be def
ciont in only ono or two. The practical
value Of soil experiments is the guide
they furnish to subsequent cropping.
Fourth, ono thing seems TO have
been settled--in nearly all instances
commercial fertilizers or complete po-
tato manuros furnish tho best and most
direct food for the crop in most cases
and in tho cheapest form and almost
invariably produce the largest yields
This statement applies only 10 manufac-
turcd fertilizers or home mixtures of the
highest grade, Is none Of tho contest
ants was foolish enough 10 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 Of applying the plant
food the reports show interesting de-
tails \ few Of these will Indicate the
system Of application, the results being
among the largest yields reported: l.
Total amount used three tons, two tons
broadcast and cultivated IN, half ton
put in drills and half ton distributed
along the rows whom the potatoes were
up. :. One ,0n 700 pounds in furrow,
400 r5Gnd5 oH top Of turrow, 100 pounds
spread and hood III and 500 pounds be-
tween tho rows at the time of hoeing 3.
One and thrce-fourths tons were used
per aero, ono ton broadcast on the sur
face and cultivated in. half a ton in the
drills, and GOO pounds applied near the
plants at hooing 4. One and one-half
tons used, 2,200 pounds in drills, 500
pounds around the plants before or when,
killing MP. .. One ton and 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, 1900
pounds in and on the sides of the drills
and mixed with the surface soil