Planting and Culture of Potatoes. 177 



but it will not give as many bushels per acre. This is where some 

 of our stations have failed in their experiments with one-eye seed. 

 They dropped an eye every three feet, say, each way, and then two- 

 eye pieces the same, etc. This is not seed enough on my ground 

 to give a maximum yield. Two or three-eye pieces would come 

 out ahead the same as at the stations. 



Such varieties as Monroe seedling, or Troy seedling, or any 

 of the later and larger growing kinds, are better on my soil, 

 planted three feet apart, that is, the drills that far, and the one- 

 eye pieces thirteen inches in the drills. I say thirteen because 

 eight pickers on the planter drop at that distance, and that is the 

 numbers we use. When dropping by hand, we try and drop as 

 nearly as we can to a foot apart, for early or late ones. Such 

 varieties as I have named will usually make a good-sized tuber, 

 large enough for most people, on my soil, planted as near together 

 as stated. Of course, soils and market demands differ, and you 

 must take into account the size of seed piece. I should not want 

 to drop whole potatoes every thirteen inches in the drill. There 

 would usually be more potatoes set than the soil could carry out. 

 Whole potatoes would need be thirty-two or thirty-six inches 

 apart. With one-eye and the first sprout, only a small number 

 set, and on my soil, they usually grow to about the right size. 

 Some very early varieties with light tops, may safely be planted 

 nearer than thirty-two inches, particularly on rich garden soil. 

 I have seen drills of Early Ohio twenty-eight inches apart that 

 were all right. It makes rather close work in cultivating, how- 

 ever. Thirty-two-inch drills work very well. You see, I can 

 lay down no fixed rule for all. I think I know what is best on 

 my farm, and my experience may help you to decide for-your 

 farm and circumstances. Perhaps you may say large potatoes 

 fill up the basket faster than small ones. Certainly, and when 

 you have decided on about the right distance apart, then make 

 them grow just as large as you can. I wish I could shove them 

 up to a pound apiece by extra good culture. From foregoing 

 remarks, I would not have you think I do not want good, large 

 potatoes; but simply that I don't want them at the expense of 

 yield per acre in dollars. 



But now I believe we left the ground all rolled ready for 

 planting, and all these numerous little questions of seed and seed- 

 ing having been settled, we are ready to go on with the culture of 

 the crop. If possible, I prefer to plant with the ground rather 

 dry, to avoid unnecessary packing. I always hope for a dry 

 spring and wet ending of season. We need no rain at first. 

 Tillage will give moisture enough until the crop is up and well 

 started, and> we can keep it clean so easy then, and the soil does 

 not get settled and hard down where you cannot cultivate. But 

 now, while I prefer to plant with soil rather dry, I. want to put 

 the fresh cut pieces of potato into a freshly opened furrow a 



