12 



Potato Culture. 



instead about the same quantity of 

 lime slacked in brine as strong as salt 

 will make it. The potato from its 

 peculiar organization has a hunger- 

 ing and thirsting after potash. Wood- 

 ashes exactly meet its wants in this 

 direction. Lime indirectly supplies 

 potash by liberating what was before 

 inert in the soil. Salt in small quan- 

 tities induces vigorous, healthy growth. 

 To obtain the best results, the -ashes 

 or lime should be covered with about 

 half an inch of soil. This plan of 

 manuring in the hill is recommend- 

 ed only in cases where the fertilizers 

 named are in limited supply, and it is 

 desirable to make the most of them. 

 Maximum crops have been obtained 

 by using the fertilizers named in the 

 manner described; but where they can 

 be obtained at low prices, it is certain- 

 ly advisable, and requires less labor, to 

 apply all three, ashes, lime, and salt, 

 broadcast in bountiful quantities, and 

 harrow it in before the ground is 

 marked out for planting. 



CULTIVATION. 



If weeds are expected, pass a light 

 harrow over the rows just before the 

 vines are ready to burst through ; 

 this will disturb them and render them 

 less troublesome. As soon as the 

 tops are two inches high, run a corn- 

 plow five inches deep close to the hills, 

 turning the furrows from the rows. 



Plow both ways twice between the 

 rows, finishing on the rows running 

 east and west, which will give the 

 sun's rays a better chance to warm 

 the ground properly. Standing on the 

 squares of earth, warmed on all sides 

 by the air and sunlight, the potatoes 

 will grow amazingly. Just as soon as 

 the tops have attained a height of six 

 or seven inches, hitch a strong horse 

 to a two-horse plow, and turn furrows 

 fully seven inches deep midway be- 

 tween the rows to the hills. Plow 



twice between the rows both ways; 

 and if the ground be a side-hill, turn 

 the first furrow between the rows up- 

 hill, which will leave the rows in bet- 

 ter shape. Hoeing is often wholly un- 

 necessary; but where, from weeds or 

 poor plowing, it is needed, draw mel- 

 low earth to the plants with the hoe, 

 keeping the top of the hills somewhat 

 hollow to catch the rains. Then, so 

 far as stirring the soil is concerned, let 

 it alone. 



After potatoes are fairly up, their 

 cultivation should be crowded through 

 with all possible speed, or at least as 

 rapidly as the growth of the tops will 

 permit. 



If the last plowing be deferred un- 

 til the vines are large, a large propor- 

 tion of small potatoes is sure to be the 

 consequence. After a certain stage 

 of growth, new tubers are formed 

 each time the soil is disturbed; these 

 never fully develop, they rob those 

 first formed, and make the crop 

 much inferior to what it should be. 

 By the mode of culture described, 

 the ground is made warm and mellow 

 close up to the seed-potatoes, the 

 roots soon fill the whole hill, and 

 tubers are formed that have nothing 

 to do but to grow. The writer is 

 aware flat culture has strong advo- 

 cates ; but, after many experiments, he 

 is convinced that hills are much the 

 best. 



PLASTER. 



However much lime or other fer- 

 tilizers may be applied to the soil, 

 still great benefit is derived from the 

 use of plaster, (sulphate of lime.) 



After all, plaster is the main de- 

 pendence of the potato-grower, a help 

 on which he may rely with the ut- 

 most confidence. Astonishing results 

 are obtained from its use, when applied 

 in a proper manner. The writer has 

 seen a. field, all of the same soil, all 

 prepared alike, and all planted with 



