The courier-index., 1918-03-08
GROW MORE POTATOES.


ny J. 3. Knox. Horticulturist. Agri-
cultural Extension Division. Univer-
sity OF Arkansas.
No other vegetable Is OF 40 great
importance 10 the world al the pres
ent tin,s as Is the Irish potato That
the Unit-d States and her allies will
need a larger amount OF these this
wear than ever before Is the opinion of
those who are In a position 10 know.
Arkansas can help wonderfully in the
production OF this extra amount OF
potatoes II every farmer, whether ten
ant or land owner. will plant from
on@-hslf 10 one acre OF potatoes this
spring.
The importance OF good seed can
not be over-estima:ed. No matter
what he soil NAV be, or how ideal tho
climate. rainfall or cultivation. we
cannot hope for a maximum yield
from poor seed. IL you have supply
OF home grown potatoes from your
fall crop that are In good condition
plant these. All potatoes wheth-
or or not disease can be seen on them
should b. disinfectd before planting.
This is done By soaking the potatoes
for two hours in solution made BY
mixing one pint OF 10 per cent formal.
dehyde with 30 gallons 81 water. The
treatment should be. mada just before
the potatoes are to be dht for plant
ing. y
The question OF fertilizers Is one
which Is not given enough considera-
tion BY the average gr6mer. In the
potato section OF the United States.
especially I'M 'the' trucking sections
along the Atlantic coast the farmers
use from 1000 to 2,eoo ppunds of com
mercisl fertilizer per acre. The
root system of the potato Is
relatively small. thurs making it neces.
sary TO have am abundance OF availa-
bic plant food for its use. II as high
as 500 to. 900 pounds OF fertilizer Is
10 be used per acre. IT. is considered
best 10 broadcast tho Hreater part OF
il. reservinx 800 to 400: pounds to sp.
ply in the drill with.aths potatoes.
being sure to mix this with the soil
before the potatoes are planted.
II. il best to use at least medium
sized potatoes for planting and these
should be cut into SHALL pieces. 4
medium sized potato viii usually
-. ~. La
enough TO plant. and II possible each
piece should have two eyes or sec.
tions from which sprouts will come.
The small potatoes do not furnish
sufficient plant food 10 nourish the
young plants unit they can get hold
on the soil: consequently weak plants
are produced. For the spring plant
ing depth OF about three inches Is
considered sufficient 80 plant but FOR
the fall crop from four to sin inches
f. not too deep 10 plant because AZ
that time It Is often the case hat We
have 10 get down deeper To get SUIT
ncIent moisture forl the potato 70
sprouts eos
n pays 10 keep tSe soil clean dur
ing tho growing pelsod Of the potato.
II is'doaued II .eNeE a deeper eultivs'
tion than tvo4oE thsee inches i nee
essary This slt0nlds however be dans
al least once every twe wssks. or
in case ~ rains T. soon thereafter
as the soil will psrmi, AIeag With
the cultivation sloVad come the spray
ing OF the vines % control hags and
blight The spraying seems 20 keep
the leaves In far better condition. snr
in actual tests ~h-rs hugs or bhsu
had been seen. thf yield Of potatoes
sprayed was better than those an-
sprayed. :
The Red Bliss or Rliss Triumph IL
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
fhey mature before The excessive heat
OF summer. and are likely TO Keep bet
ter than the other varieties which ma
ture later. Plant a patch OF potatoes
and help your Uncle Sam 10 win the
war. II YOU will have seed potatoes
to sell. write to the Extension piyt
sion. Old State House. Little Rock,
Ark, telling us how many bushels
you have. what varieties and price
per bushel. The marketing man viii
advertise them for you free Of charge
and can doubtless Had a baysr.