SUCCESS WITH SPECIALTIES 213 



four days before planting, so as to heal. Planting is 

 deep enough so ground may be harrowed across the 

 rows, thus disposing of first crop of weeds. 



The weeder is used every three days in the after- 

 noon, and never in the morning, until after sprouts are 

 large enough to be cultivated, which is done alternately 

 with a one-horse peg-tooth and a two-horse riding 

 cultivator. 



The one-horse arrangement pulls the dirt away, 

 while the two-horse tends to ridge, and by using both 

 the soil is kept perfectly level, which is very important, 

 especially in time of drouth. The weeder follows every 

 cultivation until plants are twelve inches high, making 

 the ground fine and breaking crust around the stems. 

 The ground should be stirred at least every week and 

 oftener if it rains oftener. 



During the season of 1900 there was a very severe 

 local drouth, no soaking rain falling during growing 

 season. We succeeded in harvesting a crop of potatoes 

 that )ear with only six per cent culls. The variety 

 depends on kind of ground, location, etc. 



Late Planted Crop was produced with success by 

 R. Bingam of New Jersey, who writes : We are try- 

 ing to improve farm practice by earlier planting in the 

 south side of ridges thrown up in furrowing to get 

 more sun heat and protection from north winds, and by 

 covering with dry weeds, leaves or hay to ^^rotect from 

 frost in early spring or late fall. I have potatoes still 

 green November 21, by covering three times, and on 

 an adjoining farm those planted August 9 were killed 

 October 2. Ours were planted September 7, and are 

 fair size for planting. We make our rows closer and 

 have put one plant in a place, getting more plants per 

 acre and giving each more room to feed in. Instead 

 of placing the food below the roots, where it obstructs 

 the rise of moisture in time of drouth, we place it on the 



