58 PREPARING TO PLANT AND PLANTING 



texture of the soil, as well as the yield and quality of the po- 

 tatoes. 



It is not advisable to plant potatoes in soil ever contain- 

 ing any amount of alkali. It is not a soil suited to the 

 growth of potatoes. Potatoes grown in this soil are general- 

 ly scabby. If the soil is irrigated during the growing per- 

 iod, the alkali appears on the surface of the ground, comes 

 in contact with the tubers, bites them and causes scab. 

 Land that is deficient in fertility or humus should not be 

 used for the growing of potatoes. 



Before the planting of a crop of potatoes, the land 

 should be prepared well. Much of the future success of the 

 crop is dependent upon this condition. The potatoes germi- 

 nate more rapidly, through the circulation of air, are not 

 likely to decay, and the greater ease of culture of the crop 

 is apparent. 



If the soil is dry, irrigate well before starting to pre- 

 pare it for planting. By digging well into the subsoil, the 

 moisture conditions can be determined; and if there is a 

 shortage, give the land a thorough soaking. The upper 

 moisture should penetrate to the deep subsoil moisture. 

 When the surface is dry enough to work without sticking, 

 plow the ground thoroughly and harrow as fast as a small 

 area is plowed, to prevent the loss of moisture. The soil 

 should be harrowed and re-harrowed until it is fine, moist 

 and mellow. This working kills all the small weeds, and at 

 the same time puts the soil into excellent condition for 

 planting. 



If it has not been convenient to prepare the soil so well 

 before planting, it is advisable to plow under the green crop 

 and plant at the same time. If planting in dry soil (where 

 it has been impossible to irrigate) in the late fall or winter, 

 from November to the middle of December, the grower gen- 



