The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1917-06-07

dirt all around between the outer 70
of potatoes and the inside Of the pc
Plant potato seed at every crol
line or intersection of the plant,
hills to the layer of dirt. Then put a
inch or two of well rotted manure owe
the potatoes and sprinkle good wit
water Then lay six inches of NOR
of dirt, mark off as before, plan
. manure and water again. Repeat thi
i operation with enough layers to fl
the pen to the top. To keep the dir
from falling out Of the pen as tn
: layers are placed, draw up old straw
or hay against the crevices.
As the pen rises, place on the fourtf
layer Of dirt in the center Of one side
about two feet above ground, moist
tester" This is made Of any piece OF
timber about the size of the arm, a
piece of 4 by 4 in. by 3 feet long,
placed so it will protrude from the pen
about a foot After the potatoes have
been planted three weeks loosen the
tester. pull out and run your hand in
TO determine the moisture. By so do
ing you will know how much water to
use on the pen. After the tester has
been once removed this can be repeat
ed once or twice week. Watch the
tester and keep the dirt in proper con-
dition.
The pen should be near water
supply so that it can be well watered
during the dry weather. 1t should be
watered from the top about twice
week unless rainfall is sufficient. The
"moist tester" will always enable the
grower to determine the proper moist
ure conditions. The top layer of dirt
should be sloped gently toward the cen
ter so the ground will absorb and not
shed rain, but care should be taken
that mud be prevented from forming
on top and baking to a crust. When
the earth is dry the mound should be
sprinkled on the top and sides.
The potato vines will grow to the
top and sides of the pen, (the nearest
way to the Light, emerging through |
the crevices and concealing the tim
bers with a coat Of green. When the
potatoes are matured the pen may be
taken down, the potatoes rolled out of
the thin covering with rake, and the
dirt and manure saved and |
used again.
Potato pens may be started as early
and as late as possible, giving pota-
toes ninety days to mature, except the
early ones. The usual time of plant
ing potatoes in the north is from
March to June, but under this method
the potatoes may be planted much
later than is possible under open field
where the factor of hot,
dry weather must always be taken
into consideration. With irrigation
and every possible condition of good
potato growing-moisture ventilation
and always under his con-
troll, the grower is practically certain
If his crop. In his experiments Mr..
Hendricks used the Red River Early
)hios for seed, cutting two eyes to a
rood sized piece. This year he is ex-
with other adaptations of
lis plan and expects to have some
interesting announcements to make
" next November. Mr.. Hendricks
5 backed in his work by good wife,
nd his neighbors of twenty years.
landing vouch for his honesty and
integrity.
The possibilities Of this new method /,
raising potatoes, in the saving of /.
,bor and land, are amazing to con-
emplate. When outside conditions
re unfavorable the production can
e carried on successfully under glass
nd shipping from warmer climes
Iade unnecessary. With such clean
'urce Of food supply within reach !,
all the people of the earth the
,ectre Of famine and the day of ',
h-priced foods will become thing y
the past.