194 Bulletin 228. 



up for the less number of rows grown. On the other hand, when 

 land is dear and labor cheap, it is found that by lessening the distance 

 between rows and bestowing hand labor after the horse implements 

 are excluded by the growth of the tops, the yield per acre may be 

 very materially increased. Distance between rows is largely a ques- 

 tion of land vs. labor. 



As to distance between sets in the rows, there is not much accurate 

 experimental data, though there is a very generally accepted opinion 

 that if labor is dear and land cheap, and especially if the land be 

 badly infested with weeds, the planting may w'ell be in check-rows 

 so as to allow horse culture both ways. Thus is secured a somewhat 

 lessenied yield per acre but sometimes at a lessened cost of production 

 per bushel. If, however, the land has been well cleaned and well 

 fitted, the sets may be placed closer in the rows so that culture 

 can be given only in one direction and larger yields per acre secured. 

 If rows are Avidened so as to facilitate late tillage, the sets may 

 be crowded closer in the rows. In practice it is found that with 

 the rows three feet apart the sets may well be placed at 14 to 18 

 inches apart, depending somewhat upon the variety; and with tubers 

 cut to about two-ounce pieces it will require from 18 to 26 bushels 

 to plant an acre. If planted in check-rows, three feet apart each 

 way and two ounces of seed per hill, ten bushels will plant an acre. 



Harrowing the Crop. Except when the object was to test potato 

 planting machines, the planting here has been done in the manner de- 

 scribed on page 433, which leaves the earth thrown up in ridges 

 over the rows. About ten days after the planting the field is har- 

 rowed with a spike-tooth harrow. Usually a scantling is placed 

 under the front of the harrow to act as a scraper to help to level 

 down the ridges. A second and sometimes a third harrowing is 

 given before the plants appear above ground. By this means the 

 land is nearly leveled, the clods and stones, if any, are pulled off the 

 rows into the spaces between, several crops of young weeds are de- 

 stroyed and the young potato plants are soon established in a thor- 

 oughly clean, mellow soil. 



Cultivating. As soon as the rows can be readily followed, the 

 cultivators should be started. Sometimes we have been able to 

 use the weeder at this time to good advantage, but more frequently 

 not. If rain has fallen since the last harrowing, a crust is usually 

 formed on our soil which is too hard for a weeder to break up. If the 

 surface is free from crust, the Aveeder does excellent and rapid work, 

 only care must be taken not to use it just as the plants are coming 

 through the surface, as at this time they are very tender and easily 



