Potato Growing 1705 



soil — and that means making as fine a seed bed as possible — 

 we are ready for planting, I have been asked how many times 

 one shonld harrow. I can not answer definitely, since nndcr 

 some conditions it reqnires many more times than under more 

 favorable conditions. As the potato is a quick grower it must 

 have plenty of available fertility. Four or five hundred pounds 

 of 10-5 acid phosphate and muriate of potash should be thoroughly 

 worked into the soil, and at planting time a 2-10 fertilizer is put 

 into the rows. As our market calls for a medium, rather than a 

 large potato, close planting is preferable, 12 to 14 inches in the 

 row, and rows 3 feet apart. Begin cultivation before the potatoes 

 are out of the ground and continue it as long as it is possible with- 

 out too much damage to the foliage. 



SPRAYING 



Spraying should be done often and thorough. Begin as soon 

 as the beetles begin to hatch, and continue it once a week, until 

 the vines begin to die, using a 6-6-50 formula of bordeau mixture. 

 To control the bugs I add two pounds of paris green to the mix- 

 ture, first making a paste of it and putting in the sprayer when 

 about three quarters full. Never put the paris green in the 

 sprayer dry. I want to impress upon all potato growers the value 

 of spraying; I have proved it many times. 



This subject which we have gone over hastily is of much more 

 importance to Xew York State farmers than many seem to realize 

 as potato growing is one of the best paying propositions. 



