The Sneedville news. (Sneedville, Tenn.) 191?-19??, 1919-02-07
SECOND CROP OF
IRISH POTATOES
How to Handle Potatoes in Order
10 Get High Yields
per Acre
GyLTYiTG TIL: G. W. W.
A Soil That Has the Power 20 io'f
Much hioi3.are Is Setter for .'o.a-
toes THan Otner3Zro.a.o cuJ, IN
Enemy, Can Re Defea;cd.

Secor t-crop potatoes do rot make
their best growth until tho ccole.
Eeather al fall, several weeks before
irost. In the vicinity OF Knoxville, All
gust first is about tho rigin time fo:
chanting secoE'tcrOp potatoes. For the
:outhe esteT.l hall o. Tennessee and
FOR the vicinity OK Chattar ooga, the
late may be twelve days later. On
.he 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 30 to 80 inches apart
and IL to IL inches apart in the row.
Planting at these distances will Ne
luire from 10 to ~ bushels of seed for
IN acre. In good potato soils, those of
medium texture. plant about four to
1--we inches deep. In heavier soils,
plant three 10 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-
ciaily when early crop potatoes are
used for seed. Drop the seed so that
It lies with the cut surface pressed
slightly into the soil. Cover with -
shovel pillow run on each side of the
turrow.
In dry weather. seed will lie in the
ground several weeks before coming
thru the surface. Seed from first crop
potatoes will frequently lie in the
ground from five TO six weeks before
the plants break thru the surface.
When the rows are visible. cultivate
at once. throwing the soil up we'll over
the rows. To kill weeds and break up
the surface crust, the rows should be
cross-cultivated with a light scratch
harrow, or weeder. This should be
done several times. as often rs the ap.
pearance OF the soil shows the neces-
sity OF II. 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. The
fve.tooth pillow cultivator and 1i-tooth
harrow may be used for this. Al least
three cultivators with the rows should
be given the crop. Use the fve-tooth
pillow or other cultivator with the wide
teeth attached and work as close to
the plants as possible without injur-
ing the roots, throwing the soil well
up about the plants. If cultivation Ii
done on small areas with a hand hoe,
pull the soil up about the plant with
the hoe at this time. A two-horse rid
ing cultivator will save labor and do
more efficient work than any other
kind of cultivator. Three or four
weeks before the tubers will be ready
20 dig the rows should be swept by
running a bull tongue or a special pc
tato sweep between the rows which
throws the soil in ridges up about the
plants.
KIN the Potato Bug.
The Colorado potato beetle Is the
worst enemy of the potato. and IL 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 a sprsyer Is not available.
mako a mixture of mel 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 dsw.-C Il. Brehm, Division OF
Extension. University OF Tsnnessee.
Knoxville