The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-02-11
Idaho Country Life

open the furrow, drop the seed, cover
it, firm the dirt over the seed, and
mark the next furrow. Such plant.
er is drawn by two horses. The writ.
err plants the potatoes about 2 or 2 "
inches below the surface of the sol
Experiments with potatoes planted in
rows all the way from So to AZ inches
apart indicate that the best distance
depends upon the seasonal conditions
and type of soil; it is a problem for
each grower to solve for himself.
The distance apart the potat res
should be planted in the row also
depends SO much upon the variety
the fertility of the soil, the availa-
bility' of water, etc., that each farmer
must determine this from his own
experience. plant them inches
! apart in rows SO inches apart. This
gives the largest tonnage of potatoes
of desirable size.
Cutting Seed; Planting Whole Tubers
The writer's experience has been
that seed of large size e to g. ounces
produce strong vigorous roots, as they
furnish an ample supply of plant food
to sustain strong and vigorous
growth until the feeder roots can
take up the food from the soil. An
insufficient supply of plant food in
the seed may cause the plant to be-
come stunted before the root system
becomes SO developed that it can take
up the plant food from the SOIL
During the last two years the best
results were obtained from planting
medium sized whole seed. While the
cost of the seed has been consider
able greater, the stand has been APP
proximately perfect. Experience has
proven that from one or two eyes
only are sprouts developed in uncut
seed. The seed end furnishes
vine; the other eyes usually remain
dormant.
One Of the greatest advantages of
using whole seed is the protection
from disease which may be present
in the soil and which may attack the
more tender exposed parts of the cut
seed. The potato grower can i'll af-
ford to grow crop of potatoes and
lose from 20 to 40 per cent of stand
on account of using poor seed, or
improperly cut seed, or seed of weak
vitality. 1t is a matter of vital i'm
portance to get the plants started into
strong vigorous growth In order that
they may better Withstand adverse
conditions later in the season.
Cultivation
AS soon as possible after the po-
tatoes are planted the cultivator
should be started. This implement
has four shovels, each 4 or 5 inches
wide and about Is inches long, two
on each side of the row, and is drawn
by two heavy horses. These shovels
should run as close as possible to the
planted tubers without disturbing
THEN. - The first cultivation adds to
the depth OF the dirt over the seed,
and permits the use Of Zig light 1T
smoothing harrow without disturb
ing the tubers. The cultivator also
loosens the soil on each side of the
row and better fits 1t for the potato
roots which will soon invade it.
After this the potatoes should be
narrowed once week. If possible,
first lengthwise of the rows and then
across until the vines are to inch
es high. This practice gets rid of
the weeds so thoroughly that the use
of the hand hoe in the row is rend-
cred unnecessary. 1t destroys all the
weeds in the hills and between the |
the hills in the row.
After this the cultivator Is used |
but is not run so deep as at the first
Frequent shallow culti-
walton keeps the surface of the soil
loose, conserves the moisture, and
gives chance for the root system to
spread.
Irrigation
With thorough cultivation, for po-
.atoes planted the first of May, irri-
cation Is seldome necessary until
July. Generally speaking, irrigation
water is cold and 1t is highly import
INT not to irrigate too frequently,
since the water not only causes the
'oil to run together but lowers the
to point that is not
favorable to the growth of potatoes.
irrigation water is applied only when
he condition of the plant indicates
hat they are in need of water, as by
of the foliage. Or one
nay dig down in the hill and press a
andful of soil in the hand; if 1t fails
o retain its form. irrigation is need
d. Care should be taken not to wait
Until the ground is too dry, because
me can not cover the whole field of
potatoes in one days irrigation, and
ONE are likely to suffer for water
'efore being rea he'd. The writer's
experience is that If potatoes are
,rown as rapidly as possible, so as