Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-09
Potato Pen" Is Kansas City
Mans Neu DISCOVERY
Chance Inspection of Potato Pile in Cellar 1nvents Outdoor
System of Planting to Increase Crop.

conducted his ex periments unknown ia
hut a few Of his most intimate asso-
ciates. but owing to the present food
shortage, and the nation wide cans
decided to give up his discovery for tho
free use OF people everywhere.
The details of the construction and
management Of these potato pens" az
described by Mr.. Hendricks, outline q
plan by which anyone having access to
a plot Of ground no larger than q flower
bed can raise all the potatoes needed
for an average family for a whole year.
The potato pens may be built eight feet
wide by any length, just 10 they are,
built strong enough to keep the sides
from spreading. Most any kind Of
good stout material can be used. Il
light lumber or cards are used tho
pen may be braced through the center,
with wires. Rich eartl, must be on
hand in sufficient quantities to fill tho
pen to the top.
The potato pen is built 6x8 feet, in
side measurement; and ia six feet high.
The pen is built as eac layer 10 placed
n planted. You can use 1x6-inch
boards for the ends and sides, leaving a.
two n one-half a between tho
boards for the potato sprouts to como
through. Start the pen with a six
inch layer of dirt. Then mark off the
plat a foot apar ach way, allowing
six inches Of space for dirt all around
between the outer row of potatoes and
the inside of the pen. Plant a potato
seed at every cross line or intersection
of the plat, eight hills to the layer of
dirt. Then put an inch or two of Dress
ing over the potatoes and sprinkle good
with water. Then lay six inches more
of dirt, mark off as before, plant. use
dressing and water again. Repeat this
operation with enough layers to fill
the pen to the top. TO keep the dirt
frNvn fn 11ino n,,t re thu a, ~. tho lnn
ers are placed. draw up old straw or
hay against the cracks and crevices.
AS the pen rises, place on the fourth
layer of dirt in the center of one side.
about w feet above the ground. a
moist tester" This is made Of n
arm. a piece of 4x4-inch by 3 feet
long, placed so it will protrude from
the pen about a foot. After the pota-
toes have been planted three weeks
loosen the tester, pull out and run your
hand in to determine the moisture. By
so doing you will now how much
water to use IN the pen. After the
tester has been once removed his can
be repeated once or twice q week.
Watch the tester and keep the dirt in
roper condition.
The pen should be nea a water sup
ply so that 1T can be well watered dur
ing dry weather. 1t should be watered
from thet top about twice a week unless
rainfall is sufficient. The moist test
er" will always enable the grower to
determine the proper moisture ond
lions. The top layer Of dirt hould be
slOped gently toward the center SO the
ground will absorb and not shed rain,
but care should be taken tina mud ba
prevented from forming on top and
baking to a crust. When the earth ID
dry the mound should he sprinkled on
the top and sides.
Tho vNnfot0 Vince, vr,i11 - 4 - the
top and sides Of the pen 1.-THE nearest
way to the Light, emerging through
the crevices and c%Oncealing the tim
bers with a o of green. When the
potatoes are matured the pen may be
taken down, the potatoes rolled out
OF the thin covering with a rake, and
the material, dirt and dressing saved
used again and again.
Potato pens may be started as early
and as late as possible, giving potatoes
80 days to mature, except the early
ones. The usual time of planting pota.
toes in the north is from March to
June, but nde this method the pota-
toes may be planted much later thar
is possible under open field conditions,
where the factor Of hot, dry weather
must always be taken into considera-
ton. With irrigation and every pos
sible condition of good potato growing
moisture. ventilation and drainage
always under his control, the grower ia
practically certain Of his crop.
Complex.