Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-31
LATE CROP IRISH POTATOES.

North OF the Potomac and Ohio rivers
the short summers make impossible the
planting and harvesting OF more than one
crop OF Irish potatoes each year.
In the southern states. however. our
long seasons make IL easily possible 10
harvest two crops from the same piece
OF land This is not only true OF potatoes
but Of many other quick maturing crops
such as corn, sorghum. peas. and all
kinds OF garden vegetables.
Irish potatoes. while not planted so ex-
tensiveiy as a field crop in the south as
IN the north. are none the less one OF the
important features OF every kitchen gar
den and there Is no more valuable article
Of diet for the table
The value OF the Irish potato as a food
should impress the necessity OF its produc-
ton upon the minds Of every farmer in
this country and the ease with which this
potato can be preserved through the win
ter months should command the planting
and harvesting OF a second or fall crop
in every home In the land A great many
people plant a few rows In the early spring
and when the vines die down IN July, the
second planting Is either neglected or
overlooked When the prices Of provisions
are so high, every man who Is now sup
plying his family table from the mer-
chants store should bethink himself OF
the value OF Irish potatoes as a food and
take the little time and trouble required
70 plant a late summer patch.
The peasantry in the old country. es-
pecially in Ireland, look upon the Irish
potato as both bread and meat for their
families. and as q mater OF fact a man
can do good hard work and grow hale and
hearty on no other kind OF food. Aside
from the value OF the Irish potato as
splendid table diet there is good money 70
be made IN its cultivation for market.
One acre planted in Irish potatoes can be
made 10 yield several hundred bushels and
net more clear money than dozen acres
planted in cotton. We must turn our
attention more 70 such crops and learn 10
value the immense possibilities In store
for southern farmers through diversified
agriculture
Preparation and Fertilization.
In this article the subject OF planting
the second crop Of Irish potatoes only will
be discussed There Is no plant which re-
spends more abnormally to deep and thor
ough plOWfng,and pulverization OF the soil
than the Irish potato. In some sections.
where large yields are expected from
small areas the trench system has been
adopted with great success. In the first
place select. n possible. good. light loose
soil. with some sand and underlaid with
strong clay subson. Potatoes Will not
do well on thin .stiff soil. Break the land
three times 10 pulverize the clods.
Lay on the rows three feet apart, max
ing two trips down the furrOw with turn
plOw throwing out the dirt 70 the right
and left. Follow this with subs0il, go
ing two OF three rows in each furrow.
Then with a wide shovel open out the
furrow. leaving il in good shape TO re-
ceive the tubers and fertilizers. Half OF the
fertilizers 10 be used might be advantag-
eously used by drilling IN the furrow just
before the subsoiling IS done. so that II
NAV be thoroughly mixed in with the
soil. The burrows after the last opening
out with the shovel win be from TO
inches deep and soft and mellow for 4
or s inches deeper. Drop the tubers into
the burrows at proper distances apart,
say y inches.
When the planting has been finished
then throw in about inches Of dirt on the
tubers by running a small plow on one
side OF the furrow. Next distribute the
balance Of the fertilizers in the furrow on
TOP Of the tubers and cover with a like
furrow throwing in the dirt from the 9TH
er side
second crop. unless II is well rotted and
nas been for some time Fresh manure IS
more than likely 20 produce. scab. which
fnfures the potato both for market and
table use. A complete fertilizer is requir
ed. and one showing high element Of
potash
The following formula has been used
with good results:
Phosphorus acid per cent.
Nitrogen. 3 per cent
Potash. per cent
II the above formula cannot be pur-
chased I'm made up goods. buy a fertilizer
anaIyzfng per cent phOsphoric acid,
ner cent nitrogen and I per cent potash.
and 70 this add 20 pounds Of muriate OF
potash or loo pounds OF kainit. Use
about 100 pounds OF this mixture per
acre. dividing Il in the furrow equally