EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES 129 



been fully tested and found adapted to their soil and market, 

 and allow their Experiment Station to test the novelties for 

 them, thus preventing a large annual waste of time and money. 



Planting. 



The time for planting will depend upon the soil, locality, and 

 season. If wanted for early use, the seed should be planted in 

 Aj)ril, while for main crop the work may be done between the 

 1st and 20th of May. 



Improved planters are rapidly coming into general use among 

 the large growers, and while their cost prohibits their owner- 

 ship by the average farmer, the purchase of one is generally 

 recommended in cases where six or more acres are annually 

 planted. Unless great care is taken in cutting the seed to have 

 the pieces uniform in size and shape, and good judgment exer- 

 cised in operating the machine to secure an even distribution 

 of the seed and fertilizer, also straight rows and proper cover- 

 ing, the advantage of the i)lanter will be lost. The depth for 

 covering should depend upon the nature and condition of the 

 land; in low or clayey soils three inches will be sufficient, while 

 upon light, Avell-drained land a covering of four inches is 

 advisable. 



The distance for planting should be governed by the fertility 

 of the soil and the variety used, as well as by the number of 

 eyes on each piece of seed. A good rule for most conditions is 

 to use seed cut to two or three strong eyes, and plant every 15 

 to 18 inches, in rows three feet apart. 



Cultivation. 



This is a very important operation, and must be attended to 

 at the proper time if the crop is to be kept clean and thrifty at 

 a minimum cost. The neglect of a few days in one cultivation 

 may mean the difference between profit and loss. Cultivation 

 should begin by stirring the soil with a weeder or smoothing 

 harrow within one week from time of planting, and the opera- 

 tion repeated every week or ten days as long as the size of 

 plants will admit, the objects sought being to prevent crusting 

 of the surface soil and the extermination of weeds before they 

 have gained foothold in the soil. 



The horse cultivator will next be of service in cultivating the 

 crop, and should be run quite deep for the first cultivation, 

 after which all operations should be shallow, as deep cultiva- 



