100 



highly manured which was planted early and received thor- 

 ough cultivation. Such was the case with the potato, and 

 from my own experience with this crop I would favor early 

 planting, whether the crop was intended for fall or winter use, 

 the average chances for a good crop being more favorable. 



Another advantage in favor of early planting is the ease of 

 controlling the potato bug, which was at first thought to be so 

 disastrous to the production of this most important crop. 



I incline to think that the great annoyance of this pest, the 

 potato bug, has taught many of us a valuable lesson, viz., 

 the importance of heavy fertilization and good cultivation, in 

 order to force the plant as far as possible beyond the ravages 

 of the bugs. I am of the opinion that large crops have been 

 produced, and that there is no crop to-day in which so many 

 farmers manifest an interest and zeal in improving as in the 

 potato. A study of the fine exhibit at our recent fair is evi- 

 dence of the growing popularity of the potato as a profitable 

 field crop. 



CULTIVATION OR STIRRING OP THE SOIL TO PROMOTE GROWTH. 



However thoroughly we plough and with improved imple- 

 ments pulverize the soil at seeding time, and this is most 

 important, o, frequent stirring of the soil among all vegetable 

 plants, whether the soil is moist or dry, is necessary to reap 

 the fall benefits of the elements in the atmosphere. When 

 the ground is wet cultivate thoroughly to retain the moisture, 

 and when it is dry stir the soil often, that the pores may be 

 open to absorb the dew and moisture in the atmosphere. 



It would appear very unpopular to advocate weeds as being 

 a benefit under any circumstances whatever, yet I have known 

 of instances where crops have received one hoeing more than 

 seemed necessary except to destroy the weeds, while adjoining 

 portions where the weeds failed to appear had been denied 

 this last hoeing, the surface would become baked and suffer in 

 a dry season much more than that which received the extra 

 labor. 



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