152 BOARD OF AGRICDLTURE. 



The application of fresli stable manure is not desirable on potato 

 land, as it frequentl}' results in a diminished yield and greatly in- 

 creases tlie liability to rot. 



Mucky soils in a dry season often produce a good crop ; but as 

 they are deficient in organic matter an application of leached ashes 

 will be found desirable to supply the potash essential to the growth 

 of the potato. 



Ashes may be considered as a special fertilizer for potatoes, add- 

 ing to the yield and improving the quality. 



The}' can be used on the hill or in it. A good way is to mix them 

 with the earth that covers the seed, or as a top dressing after the 

 plants are fairly started. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



The soil should be thoroughly plowed and harrowed until it is well 

 pulverized and leveled. More potatoes can be grown in drills three 

 feet apart and from twelve to eighteen inches apart in the drill than 

 when the ground is rowed each way and the planting is in hills three 

 feet apart. 



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

 sitates 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 satisfactor}*. In 

 cultivation keep the land free from weeds 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 ])e exposed above ground. It is better to cover such vari- 

 eties 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 gyp- 

 sum or land plaster. 



