TRUCK PAEMING. 021 



South of large, even-sized tubers, growing close together in the hill, with 

 few unmarketable small ones ; it should be early and command the best 

 market price. At present the Early Eose is still the favorite, though 

 not as pure as formerly, with Beauty of Hebron, Early Sunrise, aiid 

 Burbank as second choice. The potato grown in Bermuda is princiml) v 

 (lie Chili Eed. 



It has been found in late years that home-grown seed of the second 

 crop, which is planted near the end of July to August 10, produces the 

 tnost satisfactory crops, and truck farmers now generally try to secure 

 their own seed, partly at least. The eyes, not being so mature, what- 

 ever be the number on the set, only a single one will become developed 

 to grow a single stock to each hill. 



In an open, warm, sandy soil the sets maybe planted soon after being 

 cut; in a cold moist soil, and to be planted early, the cut surfaces should 

 be allowed to dry by having the sets spread out, or they may be dusted 

 with lime or land plaster. From 3 to 4 barrels, according to the size of 

 the potato and the manner of cutting, will be required to plant an acre. 

 Unlike the egg-plant and tomato, members of the same family, it is in- 

 tolerant of heat and dryness, and should be planted as early as possible. 

 Since at present only early varieties are used in truck farming, Febru- 

 ary 1 is early enough, or they may appear above ground so soon as to 

 be liable to injury from frosts. 



A cool moist soil is best adapted to the potato. Low black molds 

 in river bottoms, if well drained, may yield larger crops, but the tubers 

 will contain too much gluten instead of the proper proportion of starch, 

 the quality will be inferior, and the carrying capacity will become af- 

 fected. The lighter the soil the more mealy will be the potato. 



The manner of manuring has already been mentioned. But it is to 

 be noted that the potato set should not come into contact with green 

 stable-manure, as they will be killed unless the manure be thoroughly 

 wet by rain. 



The furrows in which the sets are dropped, cut-side down, preferably, 

 but not necessarily, at a distance of 12 inches, are 3 feet apart. If 

 originally covered by the plow to the proper depth of G inches, no sub- 

 sequent hiUing up during cultivation is advisable. 



The crop should not be dug until the plants begin to wilt, when the 

 skin will not slip off upon the tuber being pressed with the finger. If 

 dug too early the potatoes will bruise and turn black in transit ; nor 

 while digging should they be exposed to the hot sun. If heated they 

 will surely rot. They should, therefore, be barreled as dug on a bright 

 day and promptly removed or shaded. The culling should proceed at 

 the same time, and no cut or bruised potatoes be permitted among those 

 of first quality. They are shipped generally in well-ventilated, double- 

 headed, round-hooped, flour barrels. At Mobile, however, the first are 

 sent to market in bushel crates. 



From CO to 100 barrels is fair crop per acre, and it matures near 

 Savannah about the middle of May. 



The i)rice varies from $2 to $G i^er barrel. 



The Insects infesting the potatoes at the South are, (1) the Potato- 

 stalk Borer ( Gortyna nitela) ; (2) the Potato- worm {Sphinx quinquema- 

 culata); (3) the Potato-stalk Weevil {Baridius trinotatus)) (4) the Three- 

 lined Leaf-beetle {Lenia trilineata); (5) the White Grub {Lachnosterna 

 quercina); (G) the Clubbed Tortoise heatle {Deloyala clavata); (7,8,9) 

 the three Blister-beetles already named. 



During this past season of 1885 the true Colorado Potato-beetle 

 (DorypJiora 10-lineata) was for the first time reported near Savannah. 

 Our crops como in too early, however, for it ever to inflict much injury. 



