POTATO CULTURE. 153 



I am of the opinion 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. 



Mv own experience leads me to question the practicability of cutting 

 to single eyes and planting 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 eve is no small item. 



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

 up altogether or makes but a sickly growth. The larger piece has 

 vitality enough to start a good healthy plant. 



TIME OF PLANTING. 



Some growers favor earh' 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 

 Ma}', 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 HARVESTING. 



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 dur- 

 ing 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 maj' have es- 

 caped the cultivator. 



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

 possible. Store in a cool, dr}' place. 



We have never had a potato digger that proved satisfactoiy, and 

 still continue to dig in the old-fashioned way with hooks. 



VARIETIES. 



We have been testing several of the newer varieties for some 

 years. The Beauty of Hebron and Burbauk's Seedling are our 

 main sorts for field culture. 



