The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-13
Philadelphia Record.

Il AliiddClpAlAd INCCOlO
Every farmer is interested in increasing
his potato crop, and the various methods
Of growing potatoes always receive con-
s~ideration. Recent experiments made at
Cornell University. under the supervision
of Mr.. ]. L. Stone. demonstrate TO farmers
the applicability TO their soils and condi-
have given excellent results. The farmers
who have been requested to do so have
also conducted experiments on their farms,
and thus assisted In arriving at conclusions
regarding the proper course to pursue in
growing potatoes. The experiments extend
ed over a period of five years, and all kinds
prevailed. To show that much depends
upon proper cultivation it may be mem
toned that in 1895 the average yield OF
bushels, yet the maximum yield at the
station was As bushels, while in 1897, when
the average for the State was only 81 BUSH
els per acre, the maximum yield on the
station grounds was 322 bushels. In 1899
eleven plots averaged at the rate of l5
bushels, although the average for the State
was but IS bushels. During that year
drought prevailed, and as the land was
then becoming deficient in organic matter
the condition made the crops more liable
TO injury from drought than formerly, but
the thorough preparation and tillage given
the plots produced strong and vigorous
plants. despite the severe drought of the
summer, though an early frost killed the
tops before sufficient late rains had fallen
to enable the plants to produce the usually
large yield. which, however, seemed as
sured up 10 the time OF the unfortunate
event.
The large yields obtained were secured
by thorough preparation OF the land before
planting, thereby developing in the soil an
abundant supply of readily available plant
food and securing the storage of a large
amount of water, accompanied by deep
planting. followed by frequent and pro-
longed tillage of the crop, thereby pre-
venting waste of moisture by evaporation
from the surface of the soil or by transpi-
ration from the leaves Of weeds, and at the
same time bringing more plant food into
available condition. Also, and an important
matter. by maintaining healthy and vigor-
Gus foliage on the plants during the entire
season by spraying with Bordeaux mixture
and Paris green. A comparison of the mini
mum and maximum yields or potatoes
shows clearly that the large crops are Sc
cured by proper cultivation. Tn best re-
suits at the station were obtained by COM
bining the twice blowing system (autumn
and early spring. with deep planting, in
thoroughly fitted soil, and giving prolonged,
frequent, level tillage and using insecti-
cides. Farmers who made experiments got
the best yields from autumn and spring
blowing, in some cases the difference being
very large in favor OF the double blowing
| COMPARED with spring blowing only, while
deep planting and level tillage showed a
marked increase in yields compared with
shallow planting and killing. These results
were obtained on various farms, and are
valuable 10 those who make the potato crop
a speciality.
Many farmers are satisfied to cultivate
their crops only when necessity requires.
They do not neglect the crops. keeping
down the weeds and grass, but the expert
ments made at the station and by the farm
ers who assisted show that cultivation does
more: In fact, that the more the land is
cultivated the larger the crop. One farmer
got fourteen bushels more of potatoes from
land that had been cultivated five times
than from land cultivated twice. Another
plot that gave 1s7 bushels per acre was ex-
ceeded by an adjoining plot that had been
cultivated seven times. which yielded 1874
bushels per acre. 1t is plain, therefore,
that frequent cultivation is beneficial.
While deep planting gives better results
than shallow. yet deep planting should not
follow shallow p~lowing-that is, the fur
rows opened 10 receive the seed should not
go 10 the bottom of the soil that was
stirred by the plow. II ii is desired TO
plant six inches deep the land should DE
plowed eight inches deep. If land has never
been plowed deep then the plow should go
down only one inch more each year. plow-
ing in the fall OF the year. II Is well 10 un-
derstand also that better tillase and larger
crops cause the removal of more plant food
from the soil; hence the use OF manure and
fertilizers. or the growing OF cover or sod
crops 10 be plowed under should not be
overlooked. IF the farmer will give as much
labor 10 the potato crop as II really de-
mands he will suffer but little loss from
drought, and his Yields VIII be such as 10
pay all expenses and return a profit.