POTATOES. 337 



Some prefer to spread a part broadcast, and the remainder to be applied either in the hill or 

 drill, according to the method of planting. Chemical fertilizers are often used in this manner 

 in connection with yard manure, the former deposited near the seed, and the latter spread 

 broadcast and harrowed in. Chemical fertilizers should, however, be mixed with the soil, for 

 if applied directly to the seed, they will be liable to destroy the eyes or young sprouts. 



New land is commonly considered the best for producing large crops that are free from 

 disease. This may be due to the fact that new land contains more potash than that long cul 

 tivated, which is an element necessary to the perfect development of the potato. 



Many of the chemical fertilizers made especially for this crop, of which superphosphates 

 are the principal basis, often prove highly beneficial in producing large yields of the best 

 quality. 



Potatoes do not require as much fertility as corn, but still thrive best with an abundance 

 of it, and in as nearly a mineralized condition as may be, well composted, ready to be easily 

 taken up as plant-food. 



The quantity should be suited to the nature of the soil, new lands requiring less manure 

 than those that have been long in cultivation. 



If the soil is manured too heavily, and the growth over rapid, many of the varieties will 

 be hollow in the center of the tuber, or, as is commonly termed, &quot;hollos-hearted.&quot; A long, 

 slow growth is better than a forced, hasty maturity, giving a better quality as well as a larger 

 crop that can be better preserved, being less liable to disease. 



Some farmers use from eighteen to twenty two-horse loads of good yard-manure per acre, 

 spread broadcast, and from seven to eight hundred pounds of chemical fertilizers in the hills 

 in addition, and consider this the most desirable amount for this crop ; others use twice this 

 quantity of manure with the artificial fertilizers. The quantity of fertility supplied to this 

 crop should be modified in a great measure by the character of the soil. 



Selecting and Cutting Potatoes for Planting. The varieties chosen for cultiva 

 tion, should be those possessing fine, edible, and productive qualities, and also those best 

 adapted to the soil. The most perfect specimens of tubers should be selected for planting, 

 that is, those of medium size, not too large or too small, and which are as nearly perfect in 

 size and condition as possible, carefully avoiding any that have the least appearance of dis 

 ease. Since it is the law of nature that &quot;like produces like,&quot; if diseased potatoes be planted, 

 the crop will be very liable to be not only a small one, but an unsound, diseased one as well; 

 or, if disease does not make its appearance with the maturity of the crop, it will be liable to 

 at a later period, and necessitate quite a loss before the following spring. 



There is still quite a diversity of opinions among farmers as to whether it is better to 

 plant pieces of the largest potatoes, or whole small ones; also if pieces be used, which is the 

 best end of the tuber for planting, and the best size. There has also been quite a variety of 

 opinions as to whether the perfectly ripe tuber should be used, or those not fully ripened, 

 some claiming that the latter are more vigorous and early in sending out shoots. 



Repeated and careful experiments, by some of our most successful agriculturists, as well 

 as long practice, go far in establishing the opinion, that potatoes of a medium size are best 

 for planting, and that pieces are better than the whole tuber for this purpose, although good 

 crops are often obtained from small whole ones; that those perfectly ripe are to be preferred 

 to those not fully ripened, and that the eyes from one part of the potato are as prolific as 

 those of another part. 



Some, however, according to the old custom, still make a practice of planting whole 

 potatoes, one large or two small ones to a hill; on the other hand, Mr. M. J. &quot;Wheeler of 

 Massachusetts, says that the best crop of potatoes he ever produced came from sprouts taken 

 off the potato. Cutting to a single eye is at present quite extensively practiced, and is a 

 method highly recommended by some of our best authorities on this subject. Mr. B. K. 



