A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



bountiful supply of ashes, all of which are 

 saved in barrels for this use. The two 

 years when we grew a large quantity of 

 potatoes for market, a sawmill was being 

 operated in the woods, the engine of which 

 was fed with the waste logs; and we bar- 

 gained for the ashes at fifty cents a load. 

 Failing this source, commercial fertilizer 

 specially prepared for potatoes had to be 

 bought. Thorough cultivation is necessary 

 to insure a good crop. Soon, say seven or 

 eight days after planting, run the harrow 

 over the field, which will kill the embryo 

 weeds and level the surface. As soon as 

 the plants show, cultivate again; but, of 

 course, this time only between the rows and 

 with an ordinary cultivator. Repeat at fre- 

 quent intervals. 



It is estimated that it takes fifteen bushels 

 of potatoes, after they have been cut into 

 quarters, to plant an acre, which should re- 

 turn one hundred and thirty bushels of 

 salable potatoes by which is meant large 



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