XXVII 

 POTATOES 



FOB potatoes the soil should be rich and deep 

 and free from stones. The seed potatoes should 

 be dropped uncut, placing them in rows 3 feet 

 apart with 30 inches between the hills. Extra 

 fertilizer may be added, but too much nutriment 

 means big tubers with coarse watery texture and 

 diluted flavor. Poor top growth indicates lack 

 of fertilizer, while over-feeding is shown by big 

 coarse over-heavy tops. The depth of covering 

 on the potatoes does not matter much so far as 

 growth is concerned, but putting about 4 inches 

 below the surface will help to insure moisture. 

 Hilled potatoes, especially on a slope, wash more 

 in a heavy rain and the bare potatoes are exposed 

 to sun-burn. Place the seed deep enough for 

 nearly level cultivation. 



Start ordinary cultivation immediately. This 

 will conserve the moisture, prepare the food and 

 keep the weeds down. Rain is needed at first, as 

 after each spring rain new tubers form. After 

 this, dry weather is just as necessary, as rain 

 causes too many potatoes to set and the mature 

 tubers will be small. Continued rain will cause 



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