Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-03-29
GROW MORE POTATOES.

GROW MORE POTATOES.
 By J. s. Knox, Horticulturist, Agri-
 cultural Extension Division, Univer
 sity of Arkansas.
 No other vegetable is of so great importance to the world at the pres- ent time as Is the Irish potato. That the United States and her allies will need a larger amount of these this year than ever before is the opinion of those who are in a position to know. Arkansas can help wonderfully in the production of this extra amount of potatoes if every farmer. whether ten. ant or land owner, will plant from one-half to one acre of potatoes this spring.
 The importance of good seed can not be over-estimated. No matter what the soil may be, or how ideal the climate, rainfall or cultivation, we cannot hope for a maximum yield from poor seed. If you have a supply of home grown potatoes from your fall crop that are in good condition plant these. All potatoes wheth CT or not disease can be seen on them should be disinfectd before planting This is done by soaking the potatoes for two hours in a solution made by mixing one pint of 40 per cent formal dehyde with 30 gallons of water. The treatment should be made just before the potatoes are to be cut for plant ing.
 The question of fertilizers is one which is not given enough considera- tion by the average grower. In the potato section of the United States, especially in the trucking sections along the Atlantic coast, the farmers use from 1000 to 2,000 pounds of com mercial fertilizer per acre. The root system of the potato is relatively small, thus making it neces- sary to have an abundance of availa- ble plant food for it's use. If as high as 600 to 1000 pounds of fertilizer Is to be used per acre, it is considered best to broadcast the greater part of it, reserving 300 to 400 pounds to ap- ply in the drill with the potatoes. being sure to mix this with the soil before the potatoes are planted.
 It is best to use at least medium sized potatoes for planting and these should be cut into small pieces. A medium sized potato will usually make from three to four pieces large enough to plant, and if possible each piece should have two eyes or sec tions from which sprouts will come.
 The small potatoes do not furnish young plants until they can get hold on the soil; consequently weak plants are produced. For the spring plant ing a depth of about three inches is considered sufficient to plant, but for the fall crop from four to six inches is not too deep to plant because at that time it is often the case that we have to get down deeper to get sui ticient moisture for the potato to sprout.
 It pays to keep the soil clean dur ing the growing period of the potato. It is doubted if ever deeper cultiva- tion than two or three inches is nee essary. This should, however be done at least once every two weeks, or, In case of rains, as soon thereafter as the soil will permit. Along with the cultivation should come the spray ing of the vines to control bugs and blight. The spraying seems to keep the leaves in far better condition. and in actual tests where bugs or blight had been seen, the yield of potatoes sprayed was better than those un- sprayed
 The Red Bliss or Bliss Triumph is one of the very best early varieties for us to grow. Early Ohio and Irish Cobbler are also good. The early ma turing varieties like the above are considered best for the South because they mature before the excessive heat of summer, and are likely to keep bet ter than the other varieties which ma ture later. Plant patch of potatoes and help your Uncle Sam to win the war. If you will have seed potatoes to sell, write to the Extension Divi- sion. Old State House, Little Rock, Ark, telling us how many bushels you have, what varieties and price per bushel. The marketing man will advertise them for you free of charge end can doubtless find buyer.