168 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS. 



It is more work, however, to keep the potatoes clean, and necessitates 

 more or less hand hoeing. 



In field culture we think rowing both ways and planting in hills three 

 feet apart each way the most economical and satisfactory. In cultivation 

 keep the land free from Aveeds and as level as possible ; avoid hilling up, 

 because hills heat and cool more rapidly than a level surface, and feel the 

 effect of drought more. Use a marker that makes a deeper furrow than the 

 corn marker. The varieties that produce tubers close together require 

 deeper planting, or the upper ones will be exposed above ground. It is 

 better to cover such varieties to the depth of five or six inches. 



Deep planting, especially on sandy soil, is a good rule to adopt in potato 

 culture. 



SEED. 



For seed select perfect specimens of good shape and of medium size rather 

 than the largest potatoes, and cut with three or four eyes on a piece. Some 

 growers think it best to cut the potatoes some days before planting, spread 

 them on a floor and sprinkle with gypsum or land plaster. 



I am of the ojjinion that it is quite as well to cut them when planted. It 

 is often, however, desirable to have the cutting done before the hurried 

 time of planting. 



My own experience leads me to question the practicability of cutting to 

 single eyes and i^lanting three or four eyes in a hill. We prefer one piece 

 with three or four eyes to less or more seed. 



The expense of cutting to one eye is no small item. 



If the weather is dry there is so little of the potato that it dries up alto- 

 gether or makes but a sickly growth. The larger piece has vitality enough 

 to start a good healthy plant. 



TIME OF PLAKTING. 



Some growers favor early planting. Some seasons the early planted give 

 best returns, and other seasons the late. 



We generally intend to plant the main crop about the middle of May, and 

 while no rule can be adopted as to time, we are inclined to the opinion that 

 in most localities in Michigan it is early enough. 



CULTIVATION AND HAKVESTING. 



If the potatoes are a long time coming up, it is best to run over the field 

 with a light harrow. Anything that will stir the ground sufficiently to 

 cause the death of the little weeds and break the crusted surface will answer. 

 When the rows can be seen, with a shovel plow cover the rows of new plants 

 with about two inches of earth. This should be done thoroughly. Frequent 

 cultivation during the growing season is essential to a good crop, and if 

 attended to properly there will be little need of hand labor. 



In August it is well to go through the fields, each hand taking from four 

 to six rows, and pull any large weeds that may have escaped the cultivator. 



Dig as soon as thoroughly ripe, and when the ground is dry, if possible. 

 Store in a cool, dry place. 



We have never had a potato digger that proved satisfactory, and still con- 

 tinue to dig in the old-fashioned way with hooks. 



