Potatoes 71 



A loose, rich, gravelly, or sandy loam is desirable 

 for potatoes. Manure should be applied to the crop 

 that precedes rather than to the potato crop it- 

 self. Hence, potatoes following other vegetables 

 which have required much fertilizer will be a very 

 successful method. 



If potatoes are sprouted in the light before planting 

 it will hasten their growth. The sprouts should be 

 about one fourth to one half inch in length before 

 they are planted. 



Potatoes should be cultivated six or seven times a 

 season, but care must be used not to let the hoe or 

 fork scratch the young sprouts or they will fall off. 

 The soil should be harrowed well before the plants 

 appear above ground. Early harrowing kills 

 millions of sprouting weeds and avoids much 

 future work. The best kind of harrow to use is a 

 spike-tooth implement, as there is practically no 

 danger of harming the potato sprouts with it. 



A well-prepared seed bed is firm and in good tilth. 

 To have the bed well prepared beforehand will 

 have an important bearing upon the quality and 

 quantity of the crop, as well as save a great deal 

 of work in cultivating. 



