100 THE POTATO 



ing: "All through the growing season the field 

 should be kept free from weeds. The exaggerated 

 ridge culture which is so common in Aroostook 

 County could be better replaced in Massachusetts 

 by a less pronounced ridge, or as level culture as is 

 practicable. Suitable potato land is naturally or 

 artificially so well drained that it does not suffer 

 from excessive moisture, and with the high-ridge 

 culture there is danger even in a moderately dry 

 season of the crop suffering from lack of water. 

 The frequent running of the cultivator not merely 

 keeps down the weeds, but it lets the air into the 

 soil and prevents excessive loss of moisture from 

 evaporation, and in every way seems to be bene- 

 ficial to the crop. This should be kept up until the 

 vines pretty well cover the ground. If weeds are 

 appearing in the drill, these should be removed 

 by hand." 



By the foregoing it will be seen that much de- 

 pends on the individual, who must study his 

 conditions and adapt practice accordingly. 



