The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-02-04

if draws get sufficiently long to be cut
in the middle. thus making two plants
out of each draw, the top ends will pro-
duce nearly double the potatoes that the
stubs will and of much better quality.
Also. if the vines on the bed run from
Of three leaves each Gf the leaves are
far apart. two Will answer) these cut
tings will exceed draws of proper sic in
yeild more than 33 Is per cent. tmore
accurately, SO per cent?.
TO GROW VINES FOR CUTTING PUR-
POSES.
Artificial heat should be employed. /
favor the trench system With the pota-
toes placed iengthwse in two parallel
rows one foot apart. To construct this
bed. dig a trench feet broad IS inches
deep, and of proper length to suit the
quantity Of potatoes.
Fresh stable manure and green pine
boughs are probably the most suitable
materials for heating purposes. The one
selected may be placed a foot deep in
the trench and properly wet with water.
pine boughs should be we'll packed, but
a great extent prevent the proper heat
ing of same. Boughs of old field pines
are good
The heat generated by pine boughs IS
not so strong as that of fresh stable
manure. but it is ample for all practical
purposes.
Then place on the pine boughs tor
stable manure) rich soil, preferably san
dy, to the depth of 3 to inches. Then
apply an inch additional OF the following
mixture: For each % running feet OF
bed, or in that proportion, ) to 10 pounds
of q fertilizer containing nitrogen per
cent, phoSphoric acid per cent, potash
! per cent. mixed with q proper quantity
of soil Then apply an inch of rich soil
without fertilizer: this arrangement Will
prevent the fertilizer from damaging the
potatoes. After completion, the bed should
stand about eight days to get warm,
when the potatoes should be placed, as
aforesaid, and covered IL to inches
deep. With said distance strong gior-
Gus plants will be produced, which will
yield far better than plants from potatoes
crowded in the usual way. When com
rleted the top Of bed should be to 6
inches above a level.
If preferable, a bottomless box of pro
constructed by standing plank edgewise
and securing them with stakes driven into
the ground. Bank with soil on the out
side, thus making the box tight
Excessive heat should be checked with
water. II there be TOO much rain cover
during wet days No glass frames needed.
For this climate tNorth Carolina) a
bed may be prepared about March 29th
ana the potatoes placed April 9Th. By
April Both the draws i'll be sufficiently
large TO transplant, or rather to thin as
follows: Draw from onehalf to three
fourths OF the plans. leaving the residues
to develop for cutting purposes; the
stoutest plants should be left
From 600 to 500 pounds per acre of the
above fertilizer may be applied in drills
four feet apart mixed with the soil and
low ridges constructed thereon The
above draws may then be planted IS
inches apart for early potatoes. rejecting
the small weakly plants. At the proper
time cut the vines into suitable lengths
leaving three leaves the stubs Then
stick the cuttings into loosely construct
ed trenches to 10 inches broad. giving
the plants about one inch distance; one
joint should be above ground. Settle the
soil with water and draw loose soil
around the plants; no further watering
will be needed II the weather be warm.
cover for a few days. Roots will soon
form, when the plants should be dug up
mot pulled up} and tTansplanted. Thus
rooted, cuttings will live much better
and grow OFF more readily than draws.
When the stubs succor they may be cut
of, rooted and transplanted
ANOTHER PLAN FOR BEDDING
II the above plan be too expensive |
have a, other that will answer al practi-
cal purposes, but the plants will be few
days later.
Procure a box of proper size and fill
with fresh stable manure TO the depth o.
about one and half feet applying wa
ter as the manure is placed Then cover
the manure with straw and old clothes
When proper heat is developed, the po-
tatoes. after soaking them few hours
IN tepl1 water, should be placed in the
boz to the depth Of to inches and
properly covered to retain the moisture.
Water should be occasionally applied,
thus preventing damage from heat. In
few days. the potatoes Will colnTcnce
sp:t utIng, when they should be take:l out
and placed in trenches without the cX-
penSe of a hot bed. Thus treated, the
potatoes will not rot after bedding |
have tested this plan with excellent
suits.
1t is believed that potatoes, by either
OF vines
BRYAN TYSON
Carthage y. c.