214 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



necessary to use insecticides and fungicides to raise the 

 largest crop. 



VARIETIES. 



The earlier varieties are preferable for market, as 

 that is the portion of the crop that pays best. The 

 later varieties will be found good for home use and to 

 give potatoes after the early ones have been exhausted. 

 There are many disadvantages in raising these, how- 

 ever, and often they fail to produce a crop at all, but 

 as the vegetable grower learns more about the require- 

 ments of the crop this matter becomes easier. Early 

 Ohio, Early Rose, Beauty of Hebron, Burbank's Seed- 

 ling are good early varieties. Carman, No. 1, and Ru- 

 ral New York, No. 2, tire good later varieties. 



SECOND CROP. 



It is a common practice to import potatoes for fall 

 and winter use, but this has been proven unnecessary 

 by the production of a second crop. The first crop does 

 not keep well without special care later than Septem- 

 ber. In July or August tubers are spread out to the 

 light under an arbor or on a barn floor where the sun 

 will not hurt them. This is not necessary, but it will 

 hasten their sprouting, and it is easier to take care of 

 them here than when planted in a field. When the tu- 

 bers have sprouted well they may be cut and planted, 

 care being taken, of course, not to knock the sprouts 

 off. Some times draws are taken off, like from sweet 

 potatoes. 



The field may be planted any time, even as late as 

 in September, with a reasonable hope of securing a 

 small crop. It will be found difficult to keep the vines 

 healthy and the field free from weeds. It is also neces- 

 sary to have the field better prepared for draining ; 

 while the potato desires a moist soil it cannot stand a 

 soggy one. 



The second crop is simply intended for home use 

 and for local markets. It is well worth the time and 

 trouble to raise this fall crop when one has to pay 

 $1.50 to $2 a bushel at retail for potatoes grown in the 

 North. 



