The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-31

~ uecdy DeIoTe germlnatlOn takes
place. To obviate as far as possible
the matter of dry soil, start in time
TO select plot of ground and to
prepare 1t for the reception and re-
tention of a good water supply. You
are familiar, no doubt, with acres
here and there on your farm which
are drouth resistant-rich, mellow,
well-drained but moist land such as
is best suited for the late roasting
ear or turnip patch. Such soil Is
frequently to be found i'm the valley
near the branch. or possibly an old
COW pen or portion of the garden
may be suitable. Select. If possible,
piece of land that was heavily man
ured. well prepared and thoroughly
cultivated in some spring crop, like
cabbage. turrips or beans.
AS soon as the spring crop is re-
moved plow and harrow until it is in
good mechanical condition. It is
usually best to re-plOw and harrow
several times during June and July.
leaving the surface level each time
1t is disturbed. The finer the soil
particles are made, the. more water
the land will hold for plant growth,
and the longer it will retain it's moist,
mellow condition.
selection of Seed.
The potatoes used for planting
should be sound and in prime con-
dition for sprouting. 1t is the prac-
tice with some to dig the spring
crop as potatoes are wanted for the
table and To plant the small tubes
Immediately in the rows from which
they were taken. In favorable soil
and with cool. showry weather dur
Ing August or early September. a
good stand might result. The writer
has succeeded best with potatoes
dug soon after the tops die. AS dig
ging progresses, potatoes selected for
planting are removed at once, spread
out thinly under a shed or a spread
ing shade tree and lightly covered
with straw or half-rotted leaves.
Here the tubers undergo a curing or
ripening process. AS rule, un-
sound potatoes will show signs of
decay within few days after digging.
These are promptly removed. After
three or four weeks the potatoes will
have ''wilted." To still improve them
for planting, the covering of straw is
removed to admit light. Exposure to
light iMparts full green color, to the
potato. Thi ''greening'' process
seems to render the potatoe less sub
ject to rot i'm the soil.
The Time to Plant.
August 1st to August 18th is our
season for planting With soil and
seed is good condition the latter date
is preferred. Two or three weeks
before planting, the potatoes arc
carefully examined to see if eyes are
starting. If they show no signs u
growth, they arc covered lightly With
sand or mellow soil, and water is
applied copiCusly. After this ,rst ap-
plication of water the bed is kept
most but not wet. With properly
Gun ed potatoes, ten days or two weeks
in the sprouting bed should suffice
10 start most oi the eyes into g .owth
bc sure to pant before sprouts are
sufficiently ,orge to rub off ir hand
Ing. All will not start at once OF
course. The more advanced nigh
10 planted when ready and the 9th
ers returned To the planting bed tC
lie planted Il few days later. WnilC
To IL bushels per acre might snf
fee to secure good stand i'm III,
spring. 1t Is wise To use not less thar
twenty bushels per acer in plantins
the second crop. This means no
more rows and no more hills i'm the
row than for spring planting, bu
that each potato or piece of potato
planted during August should h,
about twce the size of those used
I'm spring planting.
AT best. the adverse conditions at
tending August planting render 4
necessary that each potato plant be
provided with good supply of foOC
from the mother tuber until 1t l:
sufficiently strong to draw its nour.
ishment from the soil.
Cultivate Often With Shallow Run
ming Implements
When am is ready for planting. (ro-