The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-16


 Though the planting season is yet
 some months away, those farming for a livelih ood as well as the househo1d
 gardener will find it, at this time, or
 the utmost need to study the potato
 ituatio1, and the preservation and
 quality of the spuds he Will plant
 in the spring.
 Not only has the blight taken such a hold upon the potato crop in the
 United States that the government has recently passed quarantine upon ina ported potatoes, but statistics retar- ing to the potato crop in Connecticut show that while the national crop WAS 13 1-2 per cent. above the average for the past five years, with one thou- sand more acres under cultivat tion, lhe average yield per acre was only 9s bushels as against TOT in 1912. The greatest and earliest care pos
 sible should therefore be used by
 growers during the coming season.
 Those who prefer to replant from their own or neighbors' yield, should at this time carefully inspect thair Seed potatoes, watching that they do not begin to sprol1t from heat, and if so removing these sprouts before the vitality of the seed is impaired. A small amount of powdered SlH-a phur sprinkIed upon them is sconsid-
 cred by some as an effective means of checking the increase of "scab' spores although by the greater number of ex- pert raisers the forna1dehyde dip is
 preferred just before planting, as guard against disease.
 To insure the task being carefully and most expeditiously done, when the planting season arrives, the pota- toes can be sorted carefully at this time to see that all scabby or worm eaten tubers are removed from the sacks, or barrels. Each potato should be carefully observed as to shape, size, and the number of good @eyes.' Careful handling will greate ly repay the planter.
 While the Green Mountain, Car men and other prime favorites gre the basic seed for the winter crop, it has been found that mum erous early varieties are profitable. Every gar
 den owner should have few rows of
 potatoes that can be dug during tho
 last part of July when prices are the highest, that his or her table may
 be supplied most economically from the home garden. Not only will they be found more delicious than the
 winter kept, but will be one of the paying garden crops They can be dug early and the space devoted to some of the later vegetables.
 Now is the time to consult your To- cal dealer. and place your order for
 both early as well as late seed pota- toes, that you may be among the first to be supplied when the seed which is now resting in the Maine or other seed
 storehouse repositories arrives at your dealers.
 Of prime consideration at this time should be the selection of ground and fertilizers It is customary in agri-
 cultural comm unities to change the location of potato beds either annual ly or biennfa1ly. Soil becomes blight affected, as well as losing the const;t- uent elements requisite for proper nourishment, unless proper p1ant-food is supplied through fertilizers or chemicals.
 Crop rotation will be found as ben- ehcial in the garden as upon the farrl. While practice in rotation varies in different localities, it has been found that potatoes follow clover advanta- geous1y and corn after potatoes. Both potatoes and corn draw much nitro-s gen from the soil and should prefer ! ably follow 1eguminous or nitrogen supplying crop. Beans have been classed among the 1egumes. Care, therefore, should be taken to give the early potato the best pos sible chance both against disease, the worm, or soil exhaustion. This re- qu1res Individual and careful study by
 the gardener. A liberal supply of po- fato phosphate will aid in any case, but should be so applied carefully aa to prevent burning by direct copta t.t
 with the tsspud'' Precautfon should
 be taken that potatoes are not plant ed in ground containing too much nI-= trogenous matter as the tendency to-
 ward forced foliage should be dis couraged beyondsno orrnaI.
 Spraying is becoming universal to
 protect the crop against blight and
 careful study of the various systems and formulas can well be made dur ing the long winter evenings Those fortunate enough to possess spraying instruments should look well to the present condition of pipes, valves and nozzles. Have them in proper shape.