POTATO CULTURE 



71 



(2) Potatoes should not, as a rule, be grown continuously on 

 the same land, but should be alternated with other crops. Barn- 

 yard manure may be freely used, but should, as a rule, be ap- 

 plied to previous crops in the rotation. 



(3) If commercial fertilizers are used a mixture containing 

 nitrogen in form of nitrate of soda, phosphoric acid as super- 

 phosphate, and potash as sulphate, and in which potash pre 

 dominates, is recommended. 



(4) Preparation of the land should be deep and thorough. 



(5) Planting without ridging generally affords the larger 

 yield, but a stiff soil and the desire for an extra early crop 

 sometimes necessitates planting on ridges. 



(6) The best time for planting depends upon the climate of 

 each locality ; the planting should be so timed as to bring the 

 period when the tubers are rapidly forming at a date vvhen the 

 average rainfall is ample. 



(7) On mellow, well-drained soil, deep planting (3 to 5 

 inches) is best, especially when the season happens to be dry. 

 For the early crop, or on stiff soil with a tendency to bake, the 

 depth of planting may be decreased. 



(8) The use of the harrow before the plants are all up and 

 frequent shallow cultivation afterwards until the vines shade 

 the land are advisable. 



(9) Seed potatoes grown in New England in several tests 

 proved superior to Maryland seed both in New England and in 

 Maryland. However, the data seem insufficient to determine 

 definitely the relative value of seed potatoes from different cli- 

 mates. 



(10) Cutting the seed pieces a few days before planting ap- 

 pears to exercise no injurious influence, provided, of course, 

 that the cuttings are carefully stored in the interim. 



(11) The yield from planting the seed or bud end is generally 

 greater than from the stem or butt end of the tuber. The eyes 

 on the seed end are the first to germinate, and hence are 

 especially important when an early crop is desired. 



(12) Exposing unsprouted tubers in a warm place before 

 planting hastens growth, but if continued until sprouts form 

 (which are rubbed off), the yield may be considerably reduced. 



