CHAPTER III 

 SOILS 



THE soil considered best is a deep, mellow, free- 

 working loam, grading either to a sandy loam or clay 

 loam, although the crop may be raised on lighter or 

 heavier soils, provided the latter are drained. Tile 

 drainage should be resorted to, if necessary, to reduce 

 the water table to from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet below 

 the surface. 



Some reasons for selecting a light, sandy, or gravelly 

 loam for the crop are : 



1 . Such soils can be worked early in spring, and gotten 



ready for early planting, if desired ; 



2. The lighter soil becomes warm more readily in the 



spring than a heavier soil, and germination of the 

 tuber and growth of the plant proceeds more 

 rapidly ; 



3. They can be easily worked, and placed and main- 



tained in good tilth without a heavy labor bill ; 



4. The effects of the manures and fertilizers applied 



are generally perceptible for a longer period of 

 time than on lighter soils ; 



5. The potatoes grown on such a soil usually come out 



bright and clean, smooth and of more uniform 

 size important factors when they go on the 

 market ; 



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