136 



CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



of farmers has been directed to the culture of potatoes for the 

 purpose of feeding stock; but since the merits of the ruta-baga 

 have become known, and the cultivation of the sugar-beet ex- 

 tensively introduced its culture for this purpose though it 

 cannot and ought not to be superseded will be in a greater 

 measure diminished. Starch, of a most superior quality, is 

 also manufactured from the potato. 



But although potatoes may be given to live stock in their 

 raw state, and it is frequently convenient to give them in that 

 state, yet various benefits may be derived from giving them 

 steamed or boiled. In this state they are relished by every 

 class of our domestic animals, and afford food in a high de- 

 gree nourishing and salubrious. Steamed potatoes, mixed with 

 cut straw and hay, may be given advantageously to dairy 

 cows, or any other kind of cattle; but it is thought that steam- 

 ed food is not generally attended with the same benefit to 

 ruminating as to other animals. To hogs they are given 

 (stcamnl) with the best effect. When poultry is reared in 

 quantity, their food may be considerably economized by mix- 

 ing the potato with meal. An apparatus for preparing the 

 potato for these various uses by steam will be described. 



We cannot, probably, do our readers a greater service in this 

 place, than by publishing, as nearly entire as our limits will 

 allow, the statement of Gen. A. W. BARNUM, of Vergennes, 

 Vermont, relative to his method of culture. Gen. B. has 

 been, perhaps, the most successful cultivator of potatoes in this 

 country. 



Preparation for Planting. Whatever soil may be selected for this purpose, 

 to ensure a large crop it should be highly manured with compost decomposed 

 vegetables, or barn-yard manure. The latter I consider preferable when it 

 can be obtained with convenience; if raw or course be made use of, it should 

 be spread immediately before the first ploughing, on the same day, to prevent 

 the evaporation of its best qualities, which will rapidly depart if left exposed 

 to the sun and atmosphere. 



The first should be deep ploughing, and may be done as early as suits the 

 convenience of the cultivator. If a stiff marl or clay soil, it would be well to 

 have it ploughed late in the fall previous to planting. Where compost, or 

 other substances not liable to fermentation, are intended as a manure, it is 

 better the spreading should be omitted until just before the last ploughing, 

 after which it should be thoroughly harrowed fine and smooth as possible; 

 then take a narrow light cultivator, or small plough, calculated for turning a 

 deep narrow furrow, with this instrument lay your land in drills twenty 

 inches asunder and four inches in depth, running north and south if practica- 

 ble, to admit the rays of the sun to strike the plant equally on both sides; put 

 into the bottom of the furrows or drills about two inches of well rotted barn- 

 yard manure, or its equivalent, then drop your potatoes. If of the common 

 size, or what is more important, that they contain about the usual quantity of 

 eyes, (if more, they should be cut to prevent too many stalks shooting up to- 

 gether,) put a single potato in the drills or trenches ten inches apart; the first 

 should remain uncovered until the second one is deposited, to place them 

 diagonally in the drills, which will afford more space between the potatoes one 

 way than if laid at right angles in the rows. The covering may be performed 



