FIELD CROPS. 49 



vation. Some advocate large, while others prefer small potatoes for seed, 

 thinkin g that they are as good or better than large ones. They may raise 

 good crops from small seed for one or two years, bnt if they do not obtain 

 their seed from those that do take pains to select large seed, I think they 

 will soon find their potatoes run out and become small. Why do we select 

 a nice, well-shaped ear of com for seed, not always the largest, but the best 

 developed? Also, why screen wheat, oats, etc., to secure the plumpest and 

 best seed to plant or sow? (At least we should if we do not.) We thereby 

 raise a better quality of grain, and more of it, firom year to year. I do not 

 wish any one to infer that we should take the largest potatoes for seed, bnt 

 those of a good marketable size, of nice shape, free from warts, scabs or 

 other deformity. 



Having my seed selected, I cut them to single eyes, or at most two, and 

 plant them in drills three feet apart, and fifteen inches apart in the drills, 

 having the drills deep, in well-plowed and thoroughly pulverized soiL I 

 prefer a piece that had com on the previous year, well manured and plowed 

 in for that crop, and kept under good cultivation during the season. On po- 

 tatoes I use some good commercial fertilizer that has plenty of potash in it, 

 and use it Uberally — 400 to 500 potxnds per acre. This will help keep the 

 wire-worms away, and will increase the potatoes in size and quality, I am 

 quite certain. I harrow, as soon as I see the first plants breaking the 

 grotind, with a smoothing harrow, to kill all the weeds that may have 

 started. I cultivate often, whether there are any weeds or not, nndl they 

 are in blossom. I have never failed to raise a good crop of nice smooth po- 

 tatoes, and there was always a ready market for them. I often get consid- 

 erable more than market price for them, which is quite an advantage in a 

 plentiful season, ily crop averaged about 500 bushels per acre la«t sea- 

 son. 



Ho^r to Ke«p S>Te«t Potatoes. — A Texas writer says: I would Uke to 

 give my plan for keeping sweet potatoes. I think the most essential thing 

 is to dig them at the proper time, and I think that time is about the fall 

 moon in October (that is, in Texas). No matter about the weather, unless 

 the ground is too wet. I never wait for frost; but if frost comes before the 

 full moon, dig as soon as possible, or at least before any rain. I dig with a 

 bull-tongue plow; but any way, so they are not cut or bruised too much, 

 will do. In gathering them, sort out the cut ones; but before putting up 

 let them have at least one day's sun. If the ground is wet, two days is 

 ' ttter; but in no case let them take the dew of the night. I put them in a 

 haUow cellar under some house, say fix)m three to four feet deep. After 

 iiiey are put away, throw a Uttle fine, dry dirt over them, just enough to 

 dust over the cuts. That will cause them to dry and not commence rotting. 

 Let them lay that way till the weather begins to turn cool. Then begin to 

 cover up as the weather gets colder, till they are from ten to twelve inches 

 deep; in all cases cover with dry dirt. I differ with those who want straw 

 or leaves tmder potatoes; I want them on the ground. 



When they are banked outdoors they should be on an elevated place, or 

 throw up the dirt so water will not stand about them. Put the potatoes on 

 the naked grotmd, about twenty-five or thirty bushels in a bank; set up com 

 stalks around them; then throw some grass or leaves on the stalks; bank up 

 enough of dirt against the stalks to hold them. Let them stand that way 

 till the weather begins to get cool; then begin to cover. When the weather 

 gets very cold they should be covered at least twelve inches; but in warm 



