Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-08-02
SECOND CROP OF
IRISH POTATOES
How TO Handle Potatoes in Order
to Get High Yields
per Acre
CULTIVATE The SOIL WELL
A Soil That Has the Power to Hold
Much Moisture Is Better for Pota'
y toes Than Others-Potato Bug, an
Enemy, Can Be Defeated.

Second-crop potatoes do not make
their best growth until the cooler
weather of fall, several weeks before
frost. In the vicinity OF Knoxville. Au-
gust first is about the right time for
planting second-crop potatoes. For the
southwestern half of Tennessee and
for the vicinity of Chattanooga, the
date may be twelve days later. On
the Cumberland Plateau and for high
East Tennessee counties, Johnson and
Carter, only the spring planted crop is
grown.
Amount Of Seed Needed.
Plant in rows 80 to Sc inches apart
and IL to IA inches apart in the row
Planting at these distances will re-
uuire from 10 to IL bushels of seed for
an acre. In good potato soils, those OF
medium texture, plant about four to
FIVE inches deep. In heavier soils'
plant three to four inches. To prevent
the furrow from drying out, as well as
the seed, at the time Of planting open
only one furrow at time and plant 1t
and close 1t before planting the second
furrow. This should be done espe'
cially when early crop potatoes are
used for seed. Drop the seed SO that
1t lies with the cut surface pressed
slightly into the soil. Cover with
shovel pillow run on each side OF the
furrow.
In dry weather, seed will lie in the
ground several weeks before coming
thru the surface. Seed from first crop
potatoes win frequently lie In the
ground from Ave to six weeks before
the plants break thru the surface.
When the rows are visible, cultivate
at once, throwing the soil up well over
che rows. To kill weeds and break up
the surface crust, the rows should De
cross-cultivated with a light scratch
harrow. or weeder. This should be
done several times, as often as the ap'
pearance of the soil shows the neces'
sity Of 1t. Don't give the weeds
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. Inc
five-tooth pillow cultivator and 14-tootn
harrow may be used for this At least
three cultivators with the rows should
be given the crop. Use the fve-tootn
pillow or other cultivator with the wide
teeth attached and work as close to
the plants as possible without in1ur-
ing the roots, throwing the soil well
I'D about the plants. II cultivation is
done on small areas with hand hoe,
pull the soil up about the plant with
the hoe at this time. two-horse rid
Ing cultivator will save labor and 90
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 a bull tongue or special po'
tato sweep between the rows which
throws the soil in ridges up about the
plants.
XIII tho 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 q 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 a cloth bag onto the plants.
preferably when they are wet with
rain or dew.-C e. Brehm, Division OF
Extension, University Of Tennessee,
Knoxville.