The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-19
Notes on the second Crop of irish
Potntaes.

Potatoes.
There is nothing gained by planting the
second crop of Irish potatoes before the
last Of July. In fact, there is much 10
lose by attempting to start the crop too
early. We are aware that now and tben
some very good crops have been made by
planting the second crop instantly after
the first crop Is dug, dropping back into
the same burrows potatces that have not
been exposed 70 The sun and air, even a
few moments. Burnt has been demonstt al
ed that this plan s mol d reliable One-ior
oitener than not there VIII lie a failure to
secure even d half stand OF potatoes
Granting that The poatCes DO moi rot in
the ground during June or july e VII
lie anywhere from four 10 ten WeeHs be lOre
these potatoes germiaate.t 10 secure
prompt germinatiCn il is necessary that he
seed potatoes are wel ripened, Well cured
To secure this a certain amount of expos
ure 10 the air Is necessary.
The most successful growers of The llte
crop of potatoes have found that by far
the best way IS to puC aside potatoes from
the spring crop taat natures soon or later
in June. The potatoes desisned for seed
usually those that average the size of a
walnut, are put away in eooi dry place,
where they are allowed 10 remain un.il
about the 18th OF July. The potatoes are
then oVeIhauled ard any hat are decayed
thrown OUT. The good ones are then ex-
posed to as much nght as POSSIBLE with
out allowing the sun 10 same directly ulon
them, for or Z days, unll the potatoes
take on 81 ghtly g4eenish cast. Then the
potatoes should be paced near some
source Of water ana with tae aid of straw
should be watered and kept MOST until
signs of sproutng are Observed As soon
as this occurs they Should be cue up
and planted, the soil having been thor
oughly prepared, while the seed were be-
ing sprouted. The hual planting Of the
spfoufed potatoes should be made between
the 18th of Jufy and lie oh OF August in
q In
die Georgia potatoes wa h the sprouts
started can be planted as .ate as the last
OF August, and vii then have plenty Of
time 10 make a good crop before killing
frost If the rains are at all favorable in
September and October.
his crop, which, if il proves a success
is so valuable 10 The Southern grower, is
well worth all the care necessary TO make
a sure thing of IL. Even after ripening
the seed perfectly and then sprouung them
before planting them may he a allure
resulting from drought in September or
October But II there is any way 10 in
sure the success of this crop it IS in fol-
lowing the method described The soil
should be well prepared for this crop and
the burrows should all be laid off in readi-
ness for the potatoes as soon as they have
sprouted. Il IS well TO plant just as soon
as the sprouts have started. If LEFT until
the sprouts get longer than a quarter of
an inch they are liable 10 be broken off
in handling and this would seriously i'm
pair their value, for IL would be some time
before second sprout would start.
If a saturating rain occurs to wet the
burrows and the potatoes are just about TO
sprout from having been kept steadily
moist in the sprouting bed, as soon as the
water soaks in take up the potatoes from
the sprouting bed and drop one every hf-
teen inches In the furrON, and with the
foot press them down into the soft soil
Then run scooter furrOw deeply on each
side of the furrOW 10 cover che potatoes
II will complete the work just right il q
roller can be run over the -potatoes TO
press the soil firmly to them. The mois-
ture will be the better preserved for Sc
curing prompt termination. Where only
garden the potatoes can be covered with a
hoe, stamping the soil to firm il. If the
potatoes have begun to sprout they should
be planted whether il rains or not 10 wet
the burrows. Dibble the potatoes in and
cover aud roll. If no roller is at hand
press the soil firmly, with the feet, to che
potatoes. TO sum w briefly, the require
ments of this crop. Save The seed from
the first crop IN early June digging be
they have turned yellow. Let the pota-
toes ripen for several weeks. Then eX-
pose TO light until they become green or
greenish. Then spread out the potatoes
in a convenient place and water and
mulch until they begin to sptOut. Then
plant and press the soil firmly TO the. DO
tatoes. Keep ahead of the grass and
the soil is just right there is no reason
why a good crop should not be made For
this fall crop TWO and half feet IS am
pie distance for the rows. Two feet VIII
do for all early sorts like Early Ohio Rose
and Triumph. This after we have found
a good variety for fall planting, bur this
year the Triumph blighted worse than