El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-05-24
Irish Potatoes and
How to Grow Them

u ~ M
The Irish potato Is one OF the three food
crops that can be planted at the present
time to ~increa1e our food supply, the other
two being beans and corn.
The potato is a peculiar plant as regards
its climate and soil requirements and con-
sequently 1t is very important this year,
when the seed Ia scarce and very expen-
sive, that considerable thought be given to
the climatic and soil conditions in the To-
caity in which it Is to be grown.
In a general way it is found that the
potato is not dependable in the lower and
warmer parts of the state, either in the ir-
rigated valleys or plains country. The best
potato growing districts are to be found in
the higher attitudes from 1900 feet up.
There are, however, a few very favorable
districts in lower attitudes where potatoes
have been grown quite successfully. In the
Manzano Mountains in Torrance county, at
an altitude of $500 feet; in and around Ded-
man and a few other places in Union
county; at Pennington and Aztec In San
Juan county, at attitudes OF about $500
feet; and at one place, at 1900 feet, near
Hope in Eddy county, potatoes have been
grown successfully. In these lower attitudes
where potatoes have yielded we'll. the soil
has been particularly well adapted to them.
With the information ~ present available
on this subject, farmers should be very
careful in the planting of potatoes below
what Is now considered the potato zone:
above 1900 feet. Before planting this crop
study thoroughly the local climatic and sol.
conditions, because il a mistake is made it
will be a very expensive one.
A good, fertile loan, or a silly soil con.
tanning plenty of humus, is the best soil for
potatoes. The very sandy soils, as well as
the heavy adobe or tight soils, are not con-
sidered the best for this crop. Alfalfa soil
lis very good; that is, one that has had al
falfa growing on it for some time, and that
has had a crop plowed under.
Aside from a good soil and favorable eli
matte conditions, the personal factor is also
very important in the production Of pota-
toes. II the grower is not willing to give
the crop the care and attention in handl-
ing it that are necessary to insure a good
yield, it will be better not to attempt
to grow them this year.
After the land has been thoroughly pre-
pared, the potatoes may be planted from 2
to A inches in depth, depending upon the
character of the soil; the lighter the soil
the deeper the planting. Potatoes may be
planted from 3 to 81 feet between the rows
and from Is to "a inches in the row.
The time of planting depends upon the
season and upon the locality. In the more
favorable locations in the lower and warm
er parts of the state, they give best results
when planted as early as possible in the
spring. In the higher attitudes they are
planted usually during May or the first week
in June.
Under normal conditions it takes from
about 500 to 1900 pounds to plant an acre.
However, during this year, when potatoe
seed is very scarce and expensive, it would
be better to plant from 500 to 500 pounds
to the acre. Ordinarily the potatoes are
cut into from l. to Bounce pieces, each
having at least one eye.
In the lower and warmer parts of the
state the early maturing varieties are the
more popular, such as the Early Six Weeks,
Early Ohio, Triumph and Irish Cobbler. The
last mentioned variety is the best. In the
higher and cooler pats of the state, where
potatoes do the best, the Pearl, Rural New
York, Gold Coin and Peachblow are very
popular.
Potatoes do not require very much water
Under irrigation, care should be taken not
" iii6ntC w HluCu IL LIE sui HdS
had plenty of moisture at the time of plant
ing, from one to W irrigations after the
potatoes come up ought to be enough to pro.
duce the crop. Cultivation is ordinarily more
important than irrigation, and should not
be neglected.
Ridging of the plants is universally prac-
|ticed among potato growers, under irriga-
ton. The ridging can be done as the crop is
being cultivated, by arranging the sweeps
on the cultivator in such a way as to
throw the dirt toward the plants. Under dry
farming conditions, it is very important that
the cultivation be done so as to conserve
the moisture as much as possible, and for
this reason 1t should start very soon after
planting.
The harvesting of the potato for the
main crop should not be done until the
vines are dead and the skin Of the potato
is hardened or ripe, so as to stand the
necessary handling in storing and shipping.
II the potato is not properly ripened the
skin will peel off and bruise considerably.
The keeping qualities will be greatly inn
paired, also.
May II, 1917. FABIAN GARCIA.