324 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



liance of the growers. A fertilizer carrying 3 to 4 per cent of nitro- 

 gen, 6 to 8 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 8 to 10 per cent of potash 

 is used at the rate of 500 to 1,500 pounds to the acre, depending upon 

 the crop which is to follow the potato crop and the liberality of the 

 grower. The fertilizer may be applied broadcast if put on at the rate 

 of 1,000 pounds or more to the acre. When less than 1,000 pounds 

 to the acre are used it is almost universally applied along the line of 

 the row, a furrow being opened for the reception of the fertilizer; 

 which is scattered by hand or by a distributor which can be used to 

 fertilize several rows at a time. After the fertilizer has been distrib- 

 uted, a cultivator is run along the line of the rows to incorporate the 

 fertilizer with the soil in order to prevent its coming in contact with 

 the seed when planted. Sometimes the furrow is refilled and re- 

 opened prior to the planting of the seed, so as to incorporate the fer- 

 tilizer more completely with the soil. Still another plan is to open 

 the furrow, distribute about one-half the quantity of fertilizer to be 

 used in the bottom, incorporate it with the soil, plant the potatoes, 

 partially cover them, and scatter the remainder of the application on 

 the seed bed above the seed. 



Planting. The rows should be laid off as close together as prac- 

 ticable without interfering with horse cultivation. Generally the 

 seed pieces should be dropped in furrows made in the level field and 

 not on ridges. However, low ridges are advantageous for an early 

 crop and on poorly drained land. In covering the seed pieces, 

 whether they are planted flat or on ridges, it is well to leave a small, 

 sharp ridge marking the line of the row. In some localities, however, 

 where excessive moisture is not feared, the opening furrows are only 

 partially filled after planting, leaving a depression along the row to 

 be filled by the use of the smoothing harrow or other implement. 

 In planting late in the season this course is sometimes advisable. 

 The pieces may be dropped by hand in the open furrow, or a potato 

 planter may be used, dropping and covering the seed pieces at one 

 operation. There are several potato planters that do very satisfactory 

 work, but their cost restricts their use to those who plant a large 

 acreage in potatoes or to cases where several farmers can use one to- 

 gether. Their more extended use is perhaps desirable, since they 

 save a considerable amount of labor and enable the potato grower to 

 take full advantage of even a brief period of favorable weather at 

 planting time regardless of scarcity of labor In the preparation of 

 the ground and in planting, the earth along the line of the row 

 should be compacted as little as possible consistent with thorough 

 work, and hence the team should be made to walk between the rows 

 whenever possible instead of along the drill. There is a simple po- 

 tato coverer constructed somewhat like a triangular snowplow, with 

 the wide end forward and a portion of the point or apex cut away 

 so as to leave a narrow opening at the rear. No special implement, 

 however, is required for this purpose. 



Planting Machines. Planting potatoes by hand on any large 

 scale is out of the question on account of the expense. The large 

 potato grower can of course afford the most modern machinery. In 



