The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-10-28
Potatoes Profitable Crop
By j. G. Haney, Agricultural Extension Department
International Ha rvester Company

sections should be thinner than in wet
sections.
With the seed cut in about Bounce
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 3 feet apart. In
many cases only 8 to IL bushels OF
seed are planted per acre. This means
that the seed must be cut too fine,
and weak plants result. The amount
Of seed to plant will vary with the
planter, and also with the cutting OF
the seed. The picker type of planter
will usually plant only a certain num-
Der of pieces, whether they are large
or small, while the cup type will
usually plant n large piece, or II
some cases may pant two small mes.
This is a question which might in
many cases, be given more consider
alton.
Depth to 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 choose only
the former type of soil. An average
depth of four inches is considered to
be about right. Early planted pota-
toes, however, might be planted more
shallow, and if the soil is very light,
the paintings made later might be
somewhat deeper, with good results.
Care should be taken that the plant
ers works properly and that the seed
is put in at the proper depth. In some
cases, where the soil is rather dry, and
rather cloddy at time of planting, il
may be advisable to follow 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 plant
:, ing, and if it is found that the sol
!, has dried out down to the potato, i
: should either be rolled Or blind cult
waited to insure the seed not dryin,
out.
Cultivation Begins Before Planting
A thorough preparation of the see
- bed for potatoes is essential to tn
), growing of this crop. The groun
should have been we'll plowed to
good depth, and disked and harrowe
down to fine condition. This woul
e insure destroying all weeds that ha
started just previous to planting. A
n soon as the potatoes are planted
y would be advisable to either harro'
h or cultivate, depending upon the COZ
dition of the ground, and the depth E
which the potatoes were planted. Gu
= tivation should continue until the vine
bloom, or are too large to admit ge
ting through the rows. The soil shou,
not be allowed to get hard around Il
:. plants at any time.
Hard Soil Makes Rough Potatoes
The potato must expand as it grow
L. push out in every direction. If Il
u soil is hard and lumpy it will be ca
q Ter perhaps, for a potato to expand {
~ one side or end where the soil is mo
;s soft, with the result that rough u
III shapely potatoes are produced. MAJ
49, of the so-called second growth are Il
result of the soil being packed or ba
-, ed, by the rain, and the potato pok
out bumps in the softest places abo
it. Six civilizations have produced {
&C. most twice as many potatoes as thr
To- civilizations. Frequent good, caref
n cultivation is one of the essenti
wv steps in potato culture.