Middletown transcript., 1896-03-28
EARLY POTATOES,
fhoroAgh Pu1verization Of the Soil Re
quired-Plant Deep.

fhoroAgh Pu1verization Of the Soil Re.
quired-Plant Deep.
Early home grown potatoes Of good
quality and fair size are in demand in
most local markets Not ali potato soil
is adapted for an early crop. Neither is
all potato climate suitable for early ma
turity. The nature of the soil must be
such that it admits of early tillage in
the spring. The physical condition of
the soil must be such that it generates
and retains heat. It naturally suggests
soil that contains considerable sand.
Such soil must be rich in available
plant food. IF manure is applied in the
spring, it must be well decomposed and
in such mechanical condition that it can
be easily incorporated with the SOIL In
many instances the application Of stable
manure in the spring for early potatoes
is positive injury of sod ground. The
manure should be applied in the fall. A
correspondent Of Country Gentleman,
who wrote the foregoing, is also author
ity for the following:
Wood ashes in conjunction with sta
BILE manure pay. The earlier the plant
ing the better the soil should be prepar-
ed. When the temperature of the soil is
between 80 and 40 degrees, plants can
not as readily obtain nourishment as
when the soil is warmed to go degrees
and upward. Hence the necessity of
helping the plants by thorough pulveri-
zation. Early potato raisers are fire.
quently baff1ed at this point-the ground
is too wet when potatoes should be plant
ed. If we have three or four days. clear
weather, we can partly overcome this
hindrance by using the cultivator or
double shovel plow. Let the cultivator
run about two inches deep the first time.
This loose soil will soon dry out. Next
cultivation, 60 deeper.
If we use an iron double shovel plow
or two horse cultivator, we can stir
the soil as deep as with two horse
plow. By adopting this plan instead of
using a breaking up plow the soil grad
ually dries out as the depth of the plow-
ing progresses. The disk harrow or two
horse cultivator could be profitably used
even If we break the ground with two
horse plow. Work the surface soil as
deep as these tools will stir it; then
turn it over with the plow. Repeat the
operation with cultivator and disk har-
row. We then have not merely the sur
face we'll fined, but also that part the
potato roots will occupy.
We take for granted that the early po-
tato ground is to be followed with Sec
ond crop. either for market or furnish
ing feed for the domestic animals. IF
the second crop is to be planted before
the potatoes are dug, this crop will part
ly regulate the distance of the potato
rows. The size of the potato tops must
also be considered. 1t is preferable, how
ever, on account of double cropping to
select variety with small vines. Thir-
ty-three by 83 inches is good distance
for the Early Ohio, used in some locaI-
ties.
Shall we plant in check rows? For
some second crops it is almost necessary.
As far as the success Of the potato crop
is concerned we always get better
yield If we can cultivate both ways.
After several years of dismal failure we |
learned that early potatoes should be |
planted deep. Furrow out to good |
depth. Drop the potatoes with hand and
cover with hoe.