1856. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



309 



In this vicinity, it may be propagated by placing 

 the seed-tubers (large ones I think are preferable,) 

 lengthwise, end to end, across an ordinary hot-bed, 

 in rows a small distance apart, covering them about 

 two or three inches deep with mellow loam. In a 

 fortnight, or thereabouts, each tuber will begin to 

 throw up sprouts, ranging in number from five to 

 thirty, close to the side of the potato deposited in 

 the hot-bed. These sprouts, on attaining the 

 length of three to five inches, are of suitable size 

 for transplanting into the field. Care should be 

 taken to break the sprouts off" close to the parent, 

 so as to keep some of the fibres upon them. If 

 the potatoes are not too roughly handled, they will 

 give a second and even a third crop of sprouts. In 

 order that they may not be checked for a second 

 crop, some prefer to break off the earliest sprouts 

 in the ground. Mr. Goodrich says he has always 

 found it safe to take the tuber quite out of the 

 ground, while breaking off the sprouts. In such a 

 case, they must, of course, be immediately replaced 

 in the bed, and covered as before. 



When the sprouts are nearly ready, have the 

 ground, which should be of a warm, sandy, mellow, 

 deep nature, plowed into ridges, [in our hot, dry 

 summers, ridging is hardly necessary — Ed.] say 

 4 feet apart, and 12 to 15 inches high; or if pre- 

 ferred, into rows equidistant, 3 feet apart, so as to 

 admit of cultivation both ways. The ground should 

 be thoroughly pulverized and made as light as pos- 

 sible. Heavy manuring is perhaps unadvisable. 

 A manure is needed, such as shall keep up the 

 lightness of the soil, and enable it to hold a good 

 heart. I would have it well-rotted, and thrown on 

 broadcast. 



I think it useless to attempt to grow this crop 

 in compact, moist, rich soils. Except in a very dry, 

 or warm season, the crop in such cases, is sure to 

 sufier by an overgrowth of vines, with watery tu- 

 bers. Set the sprouts, in making choice of ridge- 

 culture, about 18 inches apart, inserting them in 

 the soil in the same manner as cabbage plants. It 

 is better to plant in a dry time, than when the earih 

 is soaked with rain, for when the ground becomes 

 dry, it will be apt to bake, and check the growth of 

 the sprouts. Transplant them only in the latter 

 part of the day. Water them sparingly with water 

 of a moderate temperatui'e. There should be oc- 

 casional plowings, as long as the extent of the vines 

 ■will allow it. No dirt should be thrown on the 

 vines. In hoeing, never throw the vines into a { 

 cluster, about the top of the hill, it will hinder the 

 sun from giving warmth to it to the extent desira- 

 ble. The vines often make eight feet or more, in 

 length, in a rich and moist soil, which is some 

 longer than they need be, in order to have fine tu- 

 bers. Some individuals nip the ends, in order to 

 check the luxuriant growth. I have heard of it be- 

 ing recommended to keep them shortened in a foot 

 till the first of August, and then allow them to take 

 their own course. A New Jersey farmer recently 

 declared to me it made no difference whether they 

 were shortened or not. Roots are frequently 

 thown down at intervals along the trailing vines, 

 which are apt to produce small tubers at the points. 

 I have heard diff'erent opinions expressed as to the 

 results of allowing the vines to fasten themselves 

 beyond the immediate centre of the hill. I think 

 shortening in is of no advantage, and that loosen- 

 ing may have its uses, according to the richness of 

 the soil and the moistui'e of the weather. 



The tubers almost always stand up vertically in 

 the soil, instead of lying horizontally, as in the case 

 of the common potato. I ad\'ise to dig before the 

 first frost. If the %'ines are frosted, the potatoes, it 

 is said, become watery, and will not keep any 

 length of time. If it is not convenient to remove 

 the tubers from the ground previous to the early 

 frost, their separation from the vines may be efi"ect- 

 ed by passing a sharp knife between, just above the 

 surface of the ground. 



In preserving these potatoes for winter use, they 

 must always be kept unexposed to the atmosphere, 

 in a dry place, where a pretty uniform temperature 

 can be maintained, the safest range being between 

 50 to 60 degrees Fah. They should never be al- 

 lowed to become sweaty. F s. 



For the Netc England Farmer. 



MUCK AND PEAT. 



Much is said of these for manure. I have used 

 them in various ways, and find some equal to a 

 rich compost, and some inferior to poor, sandy 

 loam. It depends wholly on what they are made 

 of, whether forest leaves, receiving the wash of 

 rich fields, where the dung has been spread or lain 

 all winter in heaps, or the wash of much travelled 

 roads, or a poor bottomless pond hole. 



Much is said of bones being dissolved by ash- 

 es or horse-dung ; when pounded or ground to 

 one-half inch pieces, and covered close in a heap 

 with ashes, and not so that they will heat, they will 

 dissolve, and if well covered with loam to save the 

 ammonia, they are what is wanted. Much Is said of 

 sprinkHng potato vines with ashes to kill the bug 

 that causes the rot ; but if there are ashes and 

 lime enough in the ground, and good seed are 

 planted, there will be good potatoes and no rot, 

 either in potatoes or grapes. 



I prepared a four acre lot (which had been en- 

 tirely worn out,) with leached ashes, which con- 

 tained lime, forty years ago, and have used ashes 

 and bone dust occasionally, since. Potatoes have 

 been planted on some part of it every year, and 

 they have been invariably sound and good. 



If a man will prosper in business, he must pay 

 his debts, and if he would prosper in agriculture, 

 he must put back something of the same nature 

 which he has taken from a good soil. Exchanges 

 of views are important; excuse this, and I have 

 done. 



Can you inform me what is the composition of 

 Babbitt's grafting wax; you will oblige me by so do- 

 ing. Yours very respectfully, Phixeas Pkatt. 



Remarks. — We do not know the composition of 

 Babbitt's grafting wax. 



Carrots for Horses. — Our horses are now feast- 

 ing on orange carrots. Since we began feeding 

 these they will not eat corn — it will remain all the 

 day untouched in feeding troughs or boxes. Theo- 

 rize and calculate as we may as to the greater ex- 

 pense of roots over Indian corn, and the greater 

 quantity of nutritive value per acre of the latter, 

 yet every farmer who has had experience with roots, 

 must admit that they are indispensable for the pres- 

 ervation of the animal's health during the season of 

 dry-feeding. 



