The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-09-13
POTATO CULTURE.
Get Seed In the Fal-A Word About Spraying-Im-
proved Implements Needed-General Suggestions.
Editors Progressive Farmer:

Editors Progressive Farmer: =
While potato growing has assumed large pro.
portions, there is still the certainty that a de-
cided increase, if properly conducted, will bring
good profits. To accomplish this, more atten-
ton must be paid to selecting seed, and thorough
spraying must continue throughout the season.
The whole years operations hinge on pure, sound,
healthy, vigorous seed.
Unfortunately for the Southern trucker, habit
holds him in an iron crop and in spite all that
science has given to light the path of the potato
growers, we, the Southern farmers, are not ready
to let go old traditions, but persist in buying our
seed potatoes from the North, direct from the
commission merchants, and having them shipped
South, during the severe cold winter months in
bags or barrels.
SEED POTATOES
My experience has shown that it would be better
to buy the seed potatoes from the originators
and growers North and have them shipped South
In double-headed barrels just as soon as they
are harvested and dried. The Southern farmer
can then store them in some underground cellar.
or potato house, properly ventilated, and protected
from frost and so arranged that sunlight does
not reach the seed stock. This point alone is of
great value to a potato that is to be used for
seed.
The writer has seen from time to time MANY
barrels and bags of potatoes remain on the
steamboat wharves and in open warehouses as
they are shipped from the North. This delay
Is often due to the farmers inability to haul the
potatoes to his potato house on account of the
bad weather, 'or bad roads, so when he is ready
to plant them, he finds a large portion has to be
thrown away on account of rot or a large part
severely chilled by exposure in the cold weather.
If farmers will get their seed potatoes from
theNNorth In October, and keep them in their own
potato houses, they will realize a smaller per-
centage of loss, and the convenience of having
the potatoes in stock, ready for planting as |
soon as the weather will permit.
The best varieties for early planting in Feb. |
ruary are the Early Rose, Bovee, Red Bliss. Crown
Jewel, White Bliss, and Clark's No. 1. but last
season the writer tested the Early johnson. which
Will prove a leading potato in Norfolk County.
Virginia. All the truckers who planted this
potato last spring are very much pleased with it, |
as 1t Is very early and exceedingly prolific.
L have carefully observed that potatoes do bet.
ter when they are changed by growers eyery now
and then-the grower in the low-lands GETTING
his seed from the grower in the b;pb-1and ond
the grower in the highland getting his seed from
the grower in the lower country.
CULTIVATION REQUIRED
We are convinced by experience that the land
Tor planting potatoes, in February. should 10
plowed in November or December. and +bor =
worked. Potatoes demand clean cnlture ona
working the field several times during the foil
and winter will leave it in the best possible con-
ui'ion Ior feoruary and March planting in III.
South. e IL 1ne
machinery takes the place of hand labor and
inc WORK OF cutting enough seed potatoes bv bond
TO plant fifty tn five br1I--I