The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-16
,r pony pillow. throwing two burrows over
he open or seed drill.
Cultivation.

Cultivation.
Now that we have the crop planted the
next thing in order will be that OF Gull
tivation.
Where the soil has been properly pre-
pared as it should be before planting the
work of cultivating a crop of potatoes
will be small and an inexpensive matter.
The greater part Of the cultivation of
the crop should be done before the plants
push through the soil, for the work can
be performed so much cheaper and bet
ter before than after the PLANTS are up.
AS to the implements needed in this
worll-here is where one of the great
advantages in growing potatoes comes
in, as the farmer can use in the cult
walton of a potato crop the sale farm
Implements that he uses in growing crops
of corn and cotton, and so win not have
to be at extra cost for tools for the
work. The practical farmer will readily
see that by this method of planting the
land is left in small ridges over the po-
tatoes, while there is a part of the mid
die left unbroken AS soon as the weeds
start growth in the soil. which will be
only few days after the planting, pro-
vided the weather is favorable plow
out the middle of the rows, then with a
good steel harrow harrow right across
the rows, and in a few days, or as soon
as the weeds start growth again, harrow
with the rows the same as was planted.
As soon as the tops begin to push
through borrow again, and the crop may,
if the land is smooth and free from
trash. have the third narrowing, the last
time after the plants are all well up.
BY this method most of the work is
quickly and cheaply performed and the
crop nearly made by the use of the
harrow. Two civilizations with good
horse cultiyator following al the proper
time will be all that is necessary. This
viii depend. however. on the condition of
the soil and the season. This cultivation
should be shallow and always performed
when the soil is dry and before the
tubers begin to set While a good steel
vibrating harrow is one of the best
tools that can be used on a farm, yet
it may be well to give some advice here
as to its use. Only good harrow should
be used. An old harrow that has to be
Weighted down to keep it on the ground
is a worthless implement and should
never be used. Then again, a careless
hand should never be trusted with the
work of narrowing young crops. While
the harrow is a valuable implement and
one that no progressive farmer can get
along without. yet in the hands of
careless hand may prove very destructive
to young crops. 1t is a nice point to
know just when, where and how to use
a harrow AS much deper DIS upon the
condition of the soil as that of the plants.
The best time to use a harrow is right
after a rain, as soon as the soil becomes
dry enough, as then the young weeds are
making a start to grow and far more
easily Killed then than at any other
time besides the soil will be left in a
much better and finer condition if the
narrowing is done then.
Where land is prepared as outlined in
this bulletin a potato crop may almost
produced by the use of the harrow, the
expense reduced to minimum, and the
old slow expensive system of hand hoe
ing be entirely dispensed with.