The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-02-18
Questions
Answered

is thinking Of planting quite good
sized patch OF POTATOES the corning
season. He has written to learn
how he should go about 1t Any
body can raise potatoes. one will
say. Very true. but there are more
ways than one to 60 about it. and
perhaps you are not going at it
as well as you ought to to make
the most money out Of it. We
know OF no better potato growing
country in the world than North
Dakota, and believe that right here
in the northwestern part Of lac
ate one cou:c, raise potatoes on q
large scale in a manner That would
make him big money. We did not
like to take the responsibility Of
| answering this mans questionsx con
corning growing potatoes, so AZ
ipealed to the agricultural college.
The qustion and answer follows:
Independent Farmer
Will you kindly give me informa-
ton on the following:
/ have 5 acres Of breaking which
was broke about the last week in
June, 1908 and would like to know
if it would be advisable for ma 70
plant potatoes on it this spring
also when and now to prepare ile
ground, how far apart to plant as
well as how deep and everything
pertaining to the same and If in
your opinion it would be better
to plant some other kind of vege.
table or grain. The land is little bit
sloping to the east and just trihe
to the south the soil is black
loam at the bottom and a little
bit sandy in places on the top OF
| the hill. ~
Thanking you in advance for the
information I beg to remain yours
respectfully.
Answered by the Agricultural Col.
Iege of Fargo, N. D.
Dear sir:-Replying to your in
quiry would say that in my opinion
POTATOES would prove successful
crop on new land of the character
described, providing that the sod 8
fairly we'll rotted.
I have found that planting about
the middle of May gives good re-
suits, allowing ample time in ordi-
nary years for ripening. would
not advise planting in hills, be-
lieMing that planting in rows will
give better returns for the la3o:
expended.
Put the rows about thirty-six IL.
ches apart and drop the potatoes
about one to each foot. Cut the
seed by hand, and II a potato plant
er is to be used do not cut It
too small or it will choke in tae
feeding spout Of the planter. Vari-
GUS amounts of seed per acre axe
recommended. In all probability
ten bushels wilt be enough.
1t is good plan a week or even
more before seeding to throw the
potatoes out on the ground where
they are exposed to bright sunlight,
turning them occasionally. This
will cause the potatoes to grow
strong, short sprouts, which when
planted will start quickly.
Cultivate thoroly, first by harrow
ing until the plants are four to
six inchse high, and late with shall
low horse cultivators. The planting
should have said, snould average
about four inches deep Keep up
the cultivation until the potatoes
cover the ground in pretty fair
space, trying always to secure
freedom from weeds and good
dust mulch with as little deep Gull
tivation as possible.
Grow but one variety, and that
one adapted to the market require
! ments. Medium sized, even, we'll
ripened potatoes, either white or
red, command a good price on The
general markets. Be sure, how
ever, that you have secure local
market or are ready to ship before
going largely into potato raising.
The Independent Farmer has prov
on ITSELF a GREAT success so far.