114 POTATO CULTURE. 



as fast ; but there is more than this to think of. On a large 

 farm, with 100 acres of potatoes, and head-lands to turn on, 

 I would get a cart, as well, perhaps, as a sulky cultivator. 

 In our little fields the damage from the horse and cart turn- 

 ing right on the vines at each end while spraying the field, 

 and some four times during the season, from the time the 

 tops are six inches high until they are full grown, would 

 more than pay all the cost of getting the mixture put on by 

 hand. This is the way I figure : In my lots the turning on 

 vines would decrease the yield on six square rods, at ends, 

 about one-half. That is, we should lose about three rods 

 per acre. A man can spray four acres a day with a knap- 

 sack. I did it years ago, and others tell me they have lately, 

 and that it is not very hard work to run it. I tried the 

 machines at Wooster myself. This would cost me, at $1.50 

 a day for labor, and spraying four times, $1.50 an acre for 

 hand-spraying. Now, I had rather take the three rods of 

 potatoes and pay the $1.50. My potatoes generally bring 

 more than 50 cents a square rod. And then the looks ! I 

 shouldn't want Mr. Boot to come along and see the vines all 

 trodden down at the ends, and half spoiled. I don't want 

 to see it myself, and don't think I shall. 



Prof. Green very kindly told me all about the spraying 

 business. We must begin spraying while the potatoes are 

 small. It will not do to wait till the disease appears. There 

 are more or less germs in the air at all times. These lodge 

 on the leaves, and get a foothold. When they once do this 

 you can not do any good spraying. The spraying is to coat 

 the leaves with a mixture that will prevent the germs from 

 taking root. Hence you must begin when the plants are 

 about six inches high, and then in ten or fifteen days spray 

 again, to coat any new leaves that have grown out, and so 

 on until growth practically ceases. I do not know what 

 make of knapsack I had better get. There is probably not 

 much difference. I \\fant one large enough to carry mixture 

 enough to go down and back on my sixty-rod rows. Strange 



