The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-22
FnII Irish POfatoeH.

Wherever killing frosts do not usu-
ally appear before Nov. 1, the grow
ing Of a fall crop of Irish potatoes is
perfectly practical. Generally speak
ing, the area which may, therefore, be
considered as adapted to the crop in
cludes the southern half of Georgia
and the Gulf states, and the whole
of Florida. Many localities in this Sec
ton have already made the growing
of this crop an important commercial
business. In practically all parts of
this section the making of crops for
home consumption offers no trouble.
The differences in methods followed
for the spring and the fall crops are
such as result from the differences in
the nature of the two seasons. The
most important of these is the compar-
alive shortness of the fall season. This
fact eXerts much influence on the
methods to be followed. This short
ness of the time during which the crop
can grow necessitates saving all the
time possible. Growing must be made
to begin as quickly as possible, to
continue without check and be hast
ened by every practical means. Treat
ment of seed to be planted selection Of
soil for the crop, character of the fer
tilizer to be used and the methods of
cultivation to be followed all have inn
portant influence on the results.
No time should be lost by waiting
| been planted. Two weeks, at least,
may be gained by sprouting before
| hand. The best and simplest way for
| doing this is to spread to seed potatoes
| in a thin layer, not over two pota-
| toes deep, on dry ground. Under the
house is an excellent place for the
purpose. Cover them with a thin layer
! of pine straw or hay, then wet the
mass thoroughly with water. This
| should be done ten days to three weeks
| before planting time. The mulch
should be kept in a moist, but not wet
| condition. AS soon as the potatoes
have thoroughly sprouted, the mulch
should be removed, and the seed be
exposed for a few days to light, but
not to direct sunshine. This will
tougher the sprouts so that they will
not break easily in planting. When
| the sprouts have become quite green
at the tips, the seed is ready for
plantinS.
Small potatoes weighing one and
| one-half ounces each make excellent
seed. They may be kept over from
the spring crop by being piled in a
crib with alternate layers of pine
/ straw. seed or TINS size SnOuld not
be cut. Larger potatoes should be cut
when ready for planting. Two eyes is
the most satisfactory number for
planting, but the size of the seed piece
and not the number of eyes IL pos
sesses. should control the practice. 1t
is a good plan to destroy the excessive
eyes at the tip of the potatoes by a
cut with A knife.
The first Of September is the time for
beginning planting. The farther
south, and the consequent longer sea-
son to be expected. the later plant
ing may be deferred Warmer, lighter
soil should be selected for the fall crop
than is commonly used I'm the spring.
The reason for this should be plain.
As the season progresses the soil be-
comes warmer and warmer, i'm the
spring. In the fall the longer the
| crop remains in the soil the colder
and slower IL becomes.
Flowing should be deep and thor
ough The soil need seldom be plowed
into the beds or ridges found so often
| necessary as a protection against ex-
cessive water in the spring. Level
| blowing and level culture till the po-
tatoes begin 10 make, Will be found
. more satisfactory.
burrows for the seed should be run
by means OF a scooter" or half-turn
pillow. unless a planter Is used. The
rows should be three 10 three and one
/ half feet apart and the hills fifteen e
| eighteen inches.
The fertiilzing OF the fall crop de-
Z mands special consideration Materials