IRISH POTATOES. 211 



Element. Pounds of different material for one acre. 



{500 to 800 Ibs. cotton- seed meal ; or 

 350 to 500 Ibs. dried blood ; or 

 200 to 300 Ibs. nitrate of soda ; or 

 150 to 250 Ibs sulphate of ammonia. 

 f 200 to 300 Ibs. nitrate of potash ;* or 

 " 1 150 to 225 Ibs. sulphate of potash. 



T>K K -A / 50 to 7J3 lbs - acid phosphate ; or 

 Phosphoric acid.. ( 400 to m lbg digso f ved F 



A number of experiments have been made by Mr. 

 E. S. Carman to ascertain whether the fertilizer should 

 be placed over or under the seed ; the question was 

 not wholly decided, but it seemed to be somewhat 

 more favorable to the plan of putting it under. The 

 roots of the potatoes do not penetrate the soil as deeply 

 as those of some other crops, so the fertilizer should be 

 in the row or in the hill. In whatever way the fertil- 

 izer be applied, no effort should be spared to have it 

 well mixed with the soil. 



CULTIVATION. 



The cultivation is much the same as that for toma- 

 toes, and should be carried on in the same way. When 

 the potatoes are about to come through the ground a 

 good harrowing with a smoothing harrow will destroy 

 many weeds and will take the place of the first hoeing, 

 or possibly do away with it altogether. 



The cultivation should be deep and thorough. If the 

 field is not irrigated, it will be safer to employ level 

 culture. Hill culture is good in a rainy year, but it is 

 quite disastrous in a very dry one. In case of a rainy 

 season trenches can be made in various portions of the 

 field to relieve it from the surplus water. By the time 

 the tubers begin to form the field should be "laid. 

 away." 



* When nitrate of potash is used, only one-third the amount of mate- 

 rials used for nitrogen need be employed. By referring to the table of 

 Approximate Amounts of Different Fertilizers, it will be seen that the 

 nitrate of potash contains 13 to 14 per cent, of nitrogen. 



