Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-12

sonable limit, the yield OF potatoes
depends on the quantity Of seed plant
ed. other conditions being the same.
There might be some difference in
this. il the ground were given special
fertilization, with the expectation Of
producing unusual Yields.
However, for ordinary field produce
ton, it is quite generally accepted
that planting the rows so to SO inches
part, and the potatoes 10. to 15 inches
apart In the row.. will give the best
results. The thickness Of planting
would be to determine to some extent
by the variety. The Early Ohio. for
would stand closer planting than some
Of the other varieties, which grow
much larger vines. Planting in drier
regions should be thinner than in
wet regions.
With the seed cut in about two
ounce pieces. and with the planter
set for dropping IL inches apart in the
row. it will require "a bushels Of seed
per acre. with the rows three feet
apart. In many cases only 8 to IL
bushels Of seed are planted per acre.
This e that the seed must be cut
too fine. and weak plants result. The
amount Of seed to plant will vary
with the kind of planter, and also
with the cuttink of seed. The picker
type of planter will usually plant only
a certain number of pieces, whether
type will usually plant n large piece.
or In some cases may plant W small
ones. This is a question which might,
In many cases.. be given more consid-
Grafton. The following season. owing
to the increased price Of potatoes. and
doubtless the scarcity of seed. it will
be we'll to consider this before plant
l~~ -~- 81 ~ ~>.A~1~
that the planter is in proper. condi-
ton.
Depth 10 Plant.
The condition and character of. the
soil will in many cases make consid-
cradle difference as to the depth Of
planting. In a light, sandy, loamy
soil that Is we'll warmed, the potatoes
might be planted much deeper than
In a heavy wet soil. However, it Is
advisable, when possible. to chose only
the former type of soil. An average
he about right. Early planted pota-
toes, however, might be planted more
shallow, and il the soil is very light
the later paintings might be some
what deeper. with good results.
Care should be taken that the
planter works properly. and that the
seed is put in at the proper depth.
In some cases. whore the soil is rather
dry, and rather cloddy at time OF
planting, it may be advisable to fol-
low the planter with some sort OF
roller to mash the soil down on the
seed, so that it will start promptly
There have been very poor stands OF
potatoes resulting from neglecting to
do this.
The potato field should be watched
carefully for some time after planting
md - a. 10 foy,n1 that <hA coil no
dried u down to the potato, Il
should either be rolled or blind cult
waited to insure the seed not drying
out.
Cultivation Begins Before Planting.
! A thorough preparation of the seet
bed for potatoes is essential to thu
growing Of this crop. The grount
should have been we'll plowed to
good depth. and disked and narrowed
down to fine condition. This woult
} insure the destroying of all weeds tina
had started just previous to planting
AS soon as the potatoes are planted
1t would be advisable to either harrow
: or cultivate, depending upon the con
dition of the ground. and the deptl
at which the potatoes were planted
Cultivation should continue until tn
| vines bloom, or are too large to ad
nit of getting through the rows. Tn
soil should not be allowed to get har,
3 around the plants at any time.
: Hard Soil Makes Rough'Potatoes.
> Tho potato must expand as it grow
= push out in every direction. II tn
, soil Is hard and lumpy it may be easie
for the potato to expand on ono sid
/ or end, whore the soil is most soft
with the result that rough, unshapel
potatoes are produced. Many Of tn
so-called second growths are the re
suit of the soil being packed or baket
z by the rain. and the potato pokes GU
t bumps in the softest places about i
I Six civilizations has produced almol
g twice as many potatoes as three cult
vations. Frequent good careful cult
d walton is one of the essential steps l
v potato culture.