The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1918-01-31

so as to harvest the crop before hot
weather comes. The higher prices
usually received for the very early po-
tatoes encourage early planting of
early varieties Special risks are Of
ten taken tc reach the early market.
When To Plant.
Owing to the irregularity Of the sea-
son and the variations In soil types in
Louisiana, no definite dates for plant.
ing can be given. Beginners should
consult their farm demonstration
agent and experienced growers in
their vicinity. Late January or early
February (this latitude, Baton Rouge)
for early varieties would be about an
average time, giving Triumph pota-
toes. say, for late April and early May
harvesting Northward and southwark
In the state planting would be made
later and earlier, as the case may be-,
under normal conditions.
Varieties.
The Red Triumph is the variety
.most popular for early planting. 1t is
a round, red potato, that is very early
and meets the market demands. AS
must be expected, the Triumph IS o
low yielder. 1t frequently sells for
premium in competition with white
varieties.
Another variety rapidly growing in
popularity is the Irish Cobbler. This
is an early white potato.
A late white potato known as the
White Star is frequently planted in
the southern portion Of the state. The
Burbank and Peerless are also grown
for late harvest.
Sources Of Seed.
Quantities Of Triumph seed come
from the Red River valley in Minneso-
Ia. Much Maine-grown stock finds its
way into Southern seed channels.
Growers must be cautious about pur.
chasing their seed stock. See that the
tubers are free from diseases. This
caution applies especially to tho
Maine-grown stock.
Homegrown seed from the fall har.
vest is also used. AS a rule it is quite
free Of scab and other diseases, and
very desirable. The crop from this
seed is usually little later than from
Northern grown seed, but the yield is
frequently greater.
Quantity Of Seed.
Fertility of soil and other conditions
have a direct bearing on the size Of
the seed piece to plant A plant in
poor soil will need much more nour.
lshment from the mother seed-piece
than one starting in a rich soil where
plant food is abundant. Eight, ten,
and twelve bushels Of seed per acre
are commonly used under average
conditions when paintings are made
on 3 IL or foot ridges, and the seed
pieces are dropped about II inches
apart. Sugar planters frequently plant
on IL to 6 foot ridges and put corn
In the furrow before the potatoes are
harvested.
Treat With FormaIdehyde.
Potato scab is usually found on seed
potato stock. Our plant disease spe-
cialist advises the treatment Of seed
potatoes with formaldehyde whether
any scab is visible or not, as a small
amount of the disease is liable to be
overlooked. Therefore, soak the seed
potatoes for two hours in solution
made by mixing one pint of CONNER.
cial formalydehyde with thirty gallons
Of water. Growers should not neglect
this. For particulars send for Exten.
sion Circular No. 8 on potato scab.
Fertilizers.
Early Irish potatoes require sandy.
well-drained and moisture-retentive
soil. They should not be planted on
cold, poorly-drained, heavy land. (
It is difficult to state what fertiliz.
er should be used for potatoes as con.
ditions are so variable. Each grower
should work out his own fertilizer
problems. AS very general guide ii
might be said that cotton seed meal
and high grade acid phosphate ZIG per
cent available phosphoric acid) in va
rying proportions and quantities per
acre would, in most instances, meet !
The general requirements Of the crop.
Fertilizer is very high at present,
but in purchasing It one should
remember that the values of
crops have also increased, in many
instances, in greater proportion than
The cost Of ferti!izer.-G. L. Tiebout,
Horticulturist, Extension Division,
[.0uiSiana State fYniyArsitv u