22 The Bulletin. 



is a consideration, the soil that can be worked earliest in spring and will 

 respond quickest to heat is preferable. The peaty soils of the swamp 

 lands found in eastern North Carolina, if thoroughly drained and put 

 in good physical condition, would be admirable potato land. 



Previous to planting the potatoes the land should be cleared of all 

 rubbish and the soil deeply and thoroughly prepared. Soils that are 

 deep and free from lumps and clods will form smooth, uniform tubers, 

 the kind that sell to best advantage on the market. It is advisable to 

 plow deeply at least several weeks before planting, preferably the fall 

 before. The depth of plowing will of course vary with the soil. If the 

 land is deficient in vegetable matter the plowing should not be so deep ; 

 but the humus content of the soil increased and the depth of plowing 

 increased proportionally. It is usually found profitable to take advan- 

 tage of all economical means for supplying an ample amount of moist- 

 ure to the growing crop. The yield of potatoes will be materially 

 decreased if there is a deficiency of moisture. Where irrigation is not 

 possible, there is no better way of maintaining a constant water supply 

 than by deep and thorough preparation and frequent shallow cultivation. 



Potatoes for planting are usually cut to two eyes to a piece, or if cut 

 with a machine an ordinary size tuber is cut into six or eight pieces 

 regardless of the number of eyes. The pieces are planted 12 to IB 

 inches apart in rows 21/1> to SVij feet apart. They are usually covered 

 about 4 inches deep. If the land is comparatively level and more than 

 8 or 10 acres are to be planted to potatoes, it is advisable to use 

 machinery for planting and harvesting. Before the plants appear a 

 harrow should be run frequently over the ground to kill the early crop 

 of weeds and break the crust that is likely to form on the surface. 

 Every cultivation judiciously given from the time the plants are up 

 till they shade the ground will increase the yield, particularly if there 

 is a lack of rainfall. 



On the lighter soils where there is a noticeable deficiency of vegeta- 

 ble matter, a crop of cowpeas can be grown the preceding season as a 

 preparatory crop for potatoes. An application of stable manure will 

 add humus to the soil, but it is usually better if put on some previous 

 crop or applied the fall before, as fresh manure encourages "scab." 

 Where there is an abundance of vegetable matter in the soil, whether 

 from leguminous crops, stable manure, or peaty lands, a comparatively 

 heavy application of phosphoric acid and potash should be made. 

 Under ordinary conditions a good fertilizer is made up about as 

 follows : 



Acid Phosphate 900 pounds \ 



Cotton-seed Meal 600 pounds / 500 to 1,000 pounds 



Nitrate of Soda 100 pounds ( per acre. 



Sulphate of Potash 400 pounds/ 



