No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 387 



makes a vei-y good eating potato wlien grown in a did'erent (lualiiy 

 of soil. It is important that the soil be well-stocked with decayiug 

 organic matter, and that it be rather in an acid than an alkaline con- 

 dition, as it has been found that the fungus which causes the scabby 

 appearance on the outside of the potato, and thus decreases its mar- 

 ketable value, will not thrive in acid conditions. 



The applying of lime to potato ground may increase the yield, but 

 as it counteracts the acid in the soil, it has a tendency to promote 

 the scab disease. A well manured heavy clover sod usually makes 

 a good potato soil. The manure should be applied in the fall or 

 during the early winter to allow it to become assimilated with the 

 soil, as the plant cannot feed upon it in a coarse condition. 



If the soil is deficient in vegetable matter, a good plan is to plow 

 under the sod in the fall and sow the ground with rye. Apply 

 manure wiien the ground is frozen in the winter and plow the rye 

 under in the spring when it is about twenty inches high. If allowed 

 to stand until it gets much higher, the weather is usually warm, and 

 it has a tendency to sour the ground. It also prevents the moisture 

 from rising from the subsoil too near the surface, where it can be 

 used b}^ the plant. It is remarkable how much finer the soil is 

 when treated in this way. 



The potato crop is best adapted to a moist, cool climate, but will 

 do well in a warm climate, if all conditions are favorable. The 

 vitality of a potato can be retained longer in a cool than in a warm 

 climate. If the seed is purchased from one of our Northern states, 

 it usually has more vitality than our home-grown seed, and a better 

 crop is usually produced. For best results, seed should be renewed 

 at least every two or three years. If large potatoes are planted 

 every year, the vitality will not deteriorate as rapidly as if small 

 potatoes are planted. A good crop can often be secured by planting 

 small potatoes, but this practice cannot be depended upon to follow 

 indefinitely. We are ahvays advised to select the best corn, the 

 best oats and the best wheat for seed and I think that the same 

 rule will apply equally as well to potatoes. It is very essential that 

 the seed be properly cared for. It should not be allowed to sprout 

 until a short time before planting. If the sprout is permitted to 

 start grow^th and is broken off, the second growth will have less 

 vitality than the first. 



The growing can be retarded by keeping the potatoes covered 

 through the winter with straw and dirt. Cover deep enough, w'ith a 

 liberal quantity of straw and dirt, to keep them from freezing dur- 

 ing the severe cold weather. During February or March, while the 

 ground is frozen, llie piles should be covered with manure or straw 

 to keep it frozen until near planting time. This will prevent the 



