Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-03-31
PROFITABLE POTATO
GROWING IS URGED
THE COUNTY DEMONSTRATION
AGENTS ARE ENCOURAGING
POTATO CLUBS.
GOOD VARIETIES IMPORTANT
Suggestions Are Given For the
Time and Method or Plant
ing For Best Re.
suits.

College Park. March 29.-In view OF
the high prices being offered for po-
tatoes especial ENCOURAGEMENT IS be
inE given TO the growing OF this crop
by county demonstration agonts In
sections Of The State 20 which this
crop is particularly adapted contests
are being arranged in potato growing
for tho members OF local boys agrcul.
tural clubs To prepare these young
farmers for properly growing their
crops tho county agents are supply
Ing them with instructions prepared
by 5 b shaw, specialist in horticul-
turc for the Agricultural Extension
Service In regard 70 planting, Mr.
Shaw says
The time 70 plant potatoes depends
upon soil and climatic conditions, the
varieties TO be planted and the pur.
pose for which the crop is grown No
matter FOR what purpose they are in
tended the variety should be one for
which there is some demand. Perhaps
the crop is TO be sold on the open mar.
ket then choose the variety for which
there is the greatest demand Possibly
the planting will be for home use only,
then plant what home folks like best
Time.
For early market. the planting
should BE- done as soon as the ground
can be worked and the seed bed get
ten in good condition and danger OF
late killing frosts is past. Potatoes
grown especially for seed are best
planted later so that they will not
fully mature before frost For gen.
eral purposes. plant about the same
time corn is planted
Method
Before attempting 70 mark out
the rows. harrow and drag the land
until the seed bed Is mellow and
smooth II fertilizer is to be used,
half the amount may be applied broad.
cast az this time and worked into the
soil. or il may all be distributed in the
rows after they are run out After the
ground is put in good condition mark
the rows II the variety to b. planted
makes medium or small growth OF top.
make the rows two and one half feet
apart II tho tops grow large make the
rows three feet apart A single shovel
plow is a good implement with which to
mark the rows although other types
OF plows may be used Have the rows
straight and open them about Ave
inches deep n fertilizer is 20 be used,
scatter IL in the bottom and along the
sides OF the rows Then run through
again with the pillow or drag a piece
OF heavy chain about two or three feet
long in the row TO mix the fertilizer
thoroughly with the soil before plant.
Ing
After having disinfected and cut
The seed. carry il in basket or other
convenient container. that has been
disinfected, and drop one piece every
twelve or fourteen inches apart in the
bottom OF the furrow To cover the
potatoes. run the plow down one side
OF the row and back the other, throw.
Ing the soil into somewhat Of ridge
over the row This ridge will allow
the soil 20 warm UP and when leveled
down in tho first cultivation, many
small weeds which have started to
grow Will be killed
Whenever possible cut the seed.
mark our the rows. plant and cover in
the same day DO not let either the
seed or soil in the rows dry out II Il
can be helped"