POTATO CULTURE. 151 



toes occurs during the hottest season of the year, when we least 

 expect freezing ; and, secondly, should freezing take place, all the 

 potatoes in the hill would suffer equall}- ; hence the advocate of small 

 tubers gains no point, but places himself in an untenable position by 

 such an argument. 



POTATO CULTUHE. 

 By Prof. Samuel Johnson. 



From Bulletin of Michigan Agricultural College. 



The writer has received a number of letters from different parts of 

 the State of similar import to the following, from a well-known farmer 

 of Ionia Count}' : 



*'My Dear Sir: — I desire to ask a few questions as to 3'our ex- 

 perience at the College farm, in the planting and raising of potatoes, 

 as to the amount of seed to be put in a hill, the distance between the 

 rows, the distance between the hills, in the rows, the proper time to 

 plant for winter use, etc. 



"Considering the importance of the potato crop, it does seem to 

 me that more should be known as to the best method of raising the 

 crop. 



"Of all the farm crops raised in no one is there such a diversity of 

 practice as in the cultivation and raising of potatoes." 



This Bulletin is sent out as a repl}^ to queries of this sort, and 

 with the hope that it may be of use, not so much to the potato 

 specialist as to those who have had but little experience in growing 

 this important crop, or who have never given much attention to their 

 methods. 



SOILS AND FERTILIZERS. 



The soils best adapted to the potato are sandy and gravelly loams. 

 Clay soils, if the season be wet, produce ver}' poor potatoes, and 

 the}' will be much more liable to rot than those grown on sandy land. 



An old pasture turned over or any sod ground is specially fitted 

 for the growth of the potato. 



A little well-rotted compost harrowed in thoroughly upon such a 

 sod, to give the plants a good start, will usually give a fair crop upon 

 comparatively poor soil. The potatoes grown upon sod are usually 

 smoother, less liable to rot and of superior quality. 



