130 WALL'S MANUAL 



less fertile, should be applied, in case it is spread on 

 the surface. A smaller quantity will be sufficient, if 

 applied in the drill. When only a small quantity of 

 this kind of manure can be collected, a little Peruvian 

 guano may be mixed with it (one hundred pounds), 

 very much to the advantage of the crop. Cotton 

 seed is one of the best manures for this crop. 



PLANTING. 



In our Southern climate, the great enemy of the 

 potato crop, is the hot sun, and, particularly, if 

 accompanied by drought. Our planting should, 

 therefore, have special reference to protection 

 against heat and drought. The best means of 

 accomplishing this is mulching. After preparing the 

 ground, and planting the potatoes in the best manner, 

 the whole surface should be covered to the depth of 

 eight or ten inches, with broken straw, forest leaves, 

 or some other litter. This covering (mulching) 

 protects the ground against the severe heat of the 

 sun, prevents rapid evaporation, and secures both a 

 cool and moist soil Besides this, it prevents the 

 growth of weeds, while the potato vines rapidly find 

 their way to the surface. This plan will require no 

 after culture, except to pull up a few weeds which 

 may get through the mulching. 



CULTURE. 



If the method of planting is adopted which 

 requires future culture, all plowing and hoeing 

 should be done in the early stage of growth. No 

 working which will disturb the roots, should be done 

 after the flower- buds begin to make their appearance. 



