The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-01

feet apart then fill we'll with COW pea
vines, corn stalks, cotton stalks or corn
cobs, whichever is most convenient, and
cover lightly with soil; this should be
done soon after the maturity of said
crops, but if deferred until spring good
result will still follow. Corn cobs treat
ed as above, will doubtless pay ten times
better than burning them in the usual
way for cooking purposes.
While said materials are rotting i'm
portant chemical changes take place that
will much increase the productiveness of
the soil. Said beneficial results are prin-
cipally effected by means Of carbonic acid
gas, which is produced while the ma
terials are rotting. This gas is heavier
than common air and if the land is even
slightly rolling it is liable to follow the
materials placed in the trenches, after
the manner of a blind ditch, until the
lowest point is reached, where it will es-
cape unseen into the air In order to
prevent this waste, dams should be con-
structed across the trenches, before they
arc filled with corn stalks, etc, after the
MANNER of dams for holding water.
Commencing in early spring the spaces
between the trenches should be kept clean
of grass and weeds by means of proper
cultivation.
When the time for setting the plants ar
rive from 700 to 800 pounds per acre of
fertilizer containing Nitrogen, per
cent; Phosphoric Acid, 6 per cent and
Potash per cent, may be applied on
the trenches and chopped with a hoe. In
lieu of the above, the following materials
may be mixed and used:
For Nitrogen use: Nitrate of Soda. s.
to 100 pounds, or Sulphate of Ammonia,
70 to 80 pounds, or Dried Blood, 40 to $50
pounds
For Phosphoric Acid use: Acid Phos-
plate from 3O5 to $50 pounds, or Dissolved
Bone from 260 to 800 pounds or Bone Meal
from 375 to 425 pounds.
For Potash use; Muriate of Potash from
100 to 140 pounds, or Sulphate of Potash
from 100 to $40 pounds, or Kainit from
1855 to $50 pounds.
An additional moderate dose of stable
manure can be advantageously used
Ridges of medium size should then be
constructed on the trenches and the
plants set about Is inches apart; in some
cases they do better "a inches apart, but
Is generally answers we'll.
Draws vs. Cutt:ngs:-The following ex-
pertinent will show the comparative value
of draws, or sprouts, and vines cut into
lengths of three leaves each.
l. Four short rows planted with draws
from Perbatis potatoes, after the upper
halves had been removed yielded pota-
toes. 54% pounds.
2. -Four short rows planted with the
bud ends of C) yielded 1881 pounds.
5. Four short rows planted with draws
nj lafFSx..,s.o. < WELDED -O1L poupdc
a.aTbe above sno@s that ifaPlants some
what over grown be divided. into two
parts and the stubs be set INN diately
and the bud ends be first rooted and
then set the latter will beat the Nstubs
nearly 2 to l, and will also beat dfaws
of proper size over 80 1-3 per cent.
Another xperiment:-Plants from, the
Pierson New Jersey potato were here
used-a stronger growth and much more
productive than the Perbatis
In this experiment the vines ran about
three feet before they were cut, leaE-
ing usutlly one or two leaves on the
stubs. The vines We're then cut into
lengths of three leaves each; if the leaves
are far apart two will answer. The cut
tings were then set close in trench, but
not touching. one leaf above ground, and
soil was then drawn around the plants
and covering for few days provided
to protect from the sun. Roots soon
started when the plants were dug UP (not
pulled up) and transplanted.
The stubs remained on the bed until
they succored we'll, when they were drawn
and transplanted.
The following is the result:
l. One short row planted with stubs
yielded potatoes pounds.
2. Two short rows, bud end OF vines,
yielded 30 ga pounds.
s. Two short rows, miscellaneous cut
tings, (no bud cnds), yielded 81 IA
pounds.
ID and ~ had q slight advantage
over 49, not being shaded by an ada
cent house to so great an extent
The rows Of the above two expert
ments were respectively equal in length
and received the same treatment.
% had abundant roots when trans
planted, but the plants started slowly
and finally yielded but little except
strings. (2) and co lived better and
grew elf much more readily than ~.
1t is evident that cuttings will yield
more potatoes, and better potatoes than
either draws or stubs, and it is generally
conceded that they keep much better.
Why then should not the draw system
be generally abandoned, except a few
for early use?
Some important details relative to
growing vines for cutting purposes are
reserved for a future article.
no un1I cunnIiod with
COW pea vines the Nitrogen may be omit
ted from the fertilizer or reduced half.
BRYAN TYSON.
"a ~,