1 HE IRRIGATION AGE. 81 



grown in the vicinity of Greeley. This is an average crop for this 

 section. The potatoes are shipped sacked, 3,000 Ibs being a minimum 

 car, and it is easy to estimate the number of bushels grown in this 

 locdity by irrigation. All varieties are not successfully grown, some 

 being a total faiure. 



Among the most successful varieties are the Rose Seedling, Man- 

 mouth Pearl, Carmen and Early Ohio. 



Horace Eldred, living four miles north-west of town, sold the 

 crop from three acres of potatoes for $830.00. They were harvested 

 in the early part of September, 1901. His product was cf the Early 

 Ohio variety. Early potatoes are usually planted here the first week 

 in April and harvested in August and September. The larger portion 

 of the crop is planted in the latter part of May and early .June and 

 harvested in October. 



The best seed obtainable is used, and planted in rows about 38 

 inches apart with one set, having two or three eyes, placed from 12 

 to 15 inches apart in the row. 



The Aspinwall planter is largely used. It is used with two or four 

 horses, according to conditions. This machine opens the row and 

 drops the seed, one in a place, and covers it properly; it at the same 

 time marks the next row. When the planting is done cultivation com- 

 mences, and as much soil as possible is thrown onto the row, this be- 

 ing leveled off at night with a float, which destroys all weeds spring- 

 ing up in the row 



Deep and frequent cultivation is necessary and should continue 

 until the new potatoes are the size of marbles. At this time they are 

 ready for irrigation, which should be done in every other row and 

 hurried through, if the weather is hot, and from this time on the 

 ground should not be allowed to dry out again. The irrigation should 

 be done with small streams and arrangements made to hold the water 

 on longer as the weather becomes cooler. From two to three irriga- 

 tions are necessary to make a crop, according to amount of rainfall 

 during that period. 



Digging is done with a four-horse digger, which throws the pota- 

 toes to the surface and leaves the ground smooth. If marketed from 

 the field they are put into burlap sacks and sewed. These sacks hold 

 about J15 pounds. If taken to the dugout for later markets they are 

 drawn in sacks and dumped into the shutes. A photograph of a 

 Greeley potato field is herewith shown. JMO. G. HALL. 



