Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1917-08-09
SECOND CROP OF
IRISH POTATOES
Now TO Handle Potatoes in Order
to Get High Yields
per Acre
CULTIVATE THE SOIL WELL
a eosi That Hes the Power to Hold
Much Moisture Is Better for Pota-
toes Than others-Potato Bug, an
9nen1y, Gan Be Defeated.

1oe0ad-sCop potatoes do not make
Actr best growth until the cooler
weather Of fall, several weeks before
frost. In the vicinity of Knoxville, Au-
gust Arst is about the right time for
planting second-crop potatoes. For the
southwestern half of Tennessee and
nsr che vicinity of Chattanooga. the
aaAs may be twelve days later. On
ne Cumberland Plateau and for high
nAst Tennessee counties, Johnson and
oasess, only the spring planted crop 10
wvwn.
Amount Of Seed Needed.
Plant In rows 80 to SO inches apart
ana u TO IL inches apart in the row.
Planting at these distances win re-
qutre from 10 to IL bushels Of seed for
IN acre. In good potato soils, those Of
medium texture, plant about four to
Ave inches deep. In heavier soils,
plant three to four inches To prevent
che furrow from drying out, as well as
che seed. at the time of planting open
only one fuFrow at time and plant 1t
and close It before planting the second
fHrrow. This should be done espe-
cially when early crop potatoes are
used for seed. Drop the seed so that
q lies with the cut surface pressed
slightly into the soil Cover with q
shovel pillow run on each side Of the
furrow.
In dry weather, seed will lie in the
ground several weeks before coming
thru The sarface. Seed from first crop
potatoes Will frequently lie in the
ground from ave to six weeks before
che plants break thru the surface.
When the rows are visible, cultivate
at once, throwing the soil up well over
the rows. To kill weeds and break up
the surface crust, the rows should be
cross-cultivated with a light scratch
harrow, or weeder. This should be
done several times. as often as the APP
pearance of the soil shows the neces-
sity of It, Don't give the weeds q
chance to grow, or the soil to dry out
below the surface mulch. When the
rows become visible again, cultivation
should follow the rows again. The
avs<ooth pillow cultivator and 14-tooth
harrow may be used for this. At least
three cultsvators with the rows should
be given the crop. Use the five-tooth
pillow or other cultivator with the wide
keeth attached and work as close to
the plants a. possible without injur-
ing the roots, throwing the soil well
up aboat the plants. If cultivation 10
done on small areas with hand hoe,
pull the soil up about the plant with
the hoe at this time. A swo-horse rid
ing cultivator will save labor and do
more efficient work than any other
kind of cultivator. Three or four
weeks before the tubers will be ready
to dig the rows should be swept by
running bull tongue or a special po-
tato sweep between the rows which
throws the soil in ridges up about thes
plants.
Kill the Potato Bug.
The Colorado potato beetle is the,
worst enemy of the potato, and II al
lowed to go unchecked may strip the
foliage from the plants. AS soon as
first signs Of the beetle are noticed,
spray with arsenate of lead at the rate
of two pounds to fifty gallons of wa
ter. Where sprayer is not available,
make mixture Of one-half powdered
lead arsenate and one-half air-slaked
lime or sifted wood ashes or road dust.
This may then be applied by shaking
Il thru q cloth bag onto the plants.
preferably when they are wet with
rain or dew.-C e. Brehm, Division OF
Extension, University of Tennessee.
Knoxville.