POTATO CULTURE. 155 



may draw on the farm down below, that now lies idle and 

 useless, like coal in the mine waiting for man to nse it. On 

 my own farm, former owners had to scrimp to get along, 

 while thousands of dollars that I have easily pumped up were 

 lying within three feet of the surface. 



My Rotation. 



After many changes I have settled on a three-year rota- 

 tion, of clover, potatoes, and wheat. This is the best I can 

 study up for our circumstances. No stock is kept, further 

 than our horses and family cow. We have at present a work 

 team ; another team, one of which is a good driver, and a 

 road-horse that wife can drive, and a pony that belongs to 

 our son. For several years we have kept no more stock 

 than this, and grew only potatoes and wheat. We cut just 

 what clover we want to feed out. As we feed horses in the 

 barn most of the vear, this takes considerable about all of 

 the first crop of clover. The clover that grows after the 

 wheat is removed is clipped, and left to go back to the land 

 and feed the potatoes directly. Meanwhile it shades the 

 ground and thus enriches it. We usually mow it twice, when 

 it is from 8 to 12 inches high. 



The first crop the next season is mostly cut for hay, early. 

 The second crop we harrow down with the Thomas harrow, 

 when about knee-high, just before it falls down, in lands, the 

 way we will plow in the spring. Thus it plows under easier, 

 covers the surface more evenly, and it is prevented from 

 ripening as quickly. It continues to grow much longer (more 

 fertility gathered), as it tries to grow up again and form seed, 

 the object of its existence. I think I make it grow a month 

 longer by this breaking flat down. It is best done when wet 

 with dew. This clover is not plowed under till spring, you 

 will notice ; more shading, and live roots in the soil to pre- 

 vent waste, and no surf ace- wash. No animals are allowed 

 to pasture on the clover at any time during the rotation. We 



