Rural School Leaflet 915 



to rot in stacks, or meadows are mowed until they become thin, the 

 conditions will not be favorable for potatoes. 



Humus not only supplies food for the plants, but is also very important 

 as a means of holding water in the soil for their use. Water dissolves the 

 elements in the soil which are used by the plants, and holds those elements 

 in solution. It is taken in by the plant roots and the water transpired 

 from the leaves, leaving the plant food behind. Humus in the soil greatly 

 increases its productivity. 



Since the potato is so easily affected by adverse conditions, it may be 

 helped by the use of fertilizers. By this means it receives plant food in 

 easily available form, and the crop is kept in healthy condition when 

 otherwise the plants might be stunted or even ruined. Consequently 

 the best growers, particularly those of Aroostook County, Maine, and of 

 Long Island, use 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of fertilizer per acre. 



Fall plowing is often of great benefit in preparing the soil for potatoes, 

 particularly if straw or other humus-making material is plowed under. 

 This rots by spring and is in better shape for the use of the crops. On 

 most sods a second plowing in spring, with a small amount of harrowing, 

 is better than dependence on the harrow alone for spring fitting. Small 

 applications of fertiHzer may be applied in the row to give the plant a 

 start. Large amounts of fertilizer are of more value if put evenly through 

 the soil with a grain drill and are not so likely to injure the sprouts. 



Potatoes should be planted as deep as the soil and climate will permit, 

 from two to six inches. In sandy soils it is best to plant deep and cultivate 

 nearly level. If the soil holds water strongly or if much rain falls, as in 

 Maine, it is best to plant shallow and ridge up the plants in cultivation. 



The question of planting hills in checks, or of planting closer in drills, 

 depends on the fertility of the soil and the number of weeds likely to grow. 

 Some poor soils will not grow the tubers large enough if the hills are close 

 together. In such cases hills are better than drills. Rich soils will grow 

 larger crops if the plants are closer together in drills. Weeds are harder 

 to kill in drills than in hills. 



Large seed pieces increase the size of the crop over small ones. On most 

 farms, lo to 20 bushels of seed per acre planted in drills, or 8 to 10 bushels 

 per acre in hills, will be the most profitable amount to use. If the seed 

 is too small the plant may not get a good start; if too large, the increase 

 in crop does not pay for the increased cost of seed. In seasons when 

 seed is high, such as 191 2, small pieces may be used and increased care 

 given the crop. When seed is cheap, large seed is often profitable. 



Different varieties vary greatly in their adaptability to different soils. 

 One of the most profitable practices in potato growing is testing for the 

 best variety for a particular soil. Many new seedling varieties are being 



