104 



THE POTATO 



regulated by interchangeable sprockets. The various 

 parts of the machine are driven by means of a chain 

 drive. This machine opens the row, distributes the 

 fertilizer in rather a wide stream, plants the potato, 

 and covers it in a satisfactory manner. Any ordinary 

 required depth can be obtained. It can be used for 

 planting beans, corn, and other crops. With potato- 

 planters three to six acres can be planted per day. 



Losses of crop due to insufficient seeding cannot be 

 made up during the year. The land requires the same 

 amount of work, and the soil needs moving at digging- 

 time; but there is not the yield, and it is an important 

 consideration whether 5 per cent, to 20 per cent, loss 

 of plants per acre is not too high a price for the sake of 

 one man's pay per day. Even with the cheapest 

 " picker ' ' planter, the lower initial cost is not sufficient 

 to recompense the grower for the loss sustained by 

 using it on ten acres when compared with the 'perfect 

 machine. 



