122 AGRICULTURE 



24.35% 



3. Raising the Crop 



The soil. Potatoes thrive best in a rich sandy loam 

 containing a good supply of humus. Hard stiff soils or 

 heavy clay are not well adapted to potato raising. The 

 best soil on the farm should be devoted to the potato field, 

 both because potatoes demand a better soil than most other 

 crops, and because the value of potatoes per acre is greater 

 than almost any other field crop. 



Ground that has recently raised clover, alfalfa or some 

 other legume is especially suited to potatoes. While barn- 

 yard manure will greatly increase the yield, it will also favor 

 the ravages of scab and other potato diseases, and so lower 

 the quality of the crop. It is usually a mistake to plant 

 potatoes on a freshly manured field. If manure is used, 

 it is better to follow a heavy manuring with a crop of 

 corn, and then plant potatoes for the second year crop. 



Green manuring, that is, the plowing under of green 

 crops such as clover or alfalfa, will add greatly to the 

 yield. If the sod is old, it is usually better to grow one 



