139 



rain should fall for a considerable length of time, much of the 

 seed might scarcely sprout at all, and the growth of that 

 which did, would be retarded, so that the crop would be but 

 small. There have been instances of this kind, where the 

 crop has been almost an utter failure, and the farmer's only 

 remuneration for the expense of planting and manuring his 

 field, was a heavy crop of weeds. Besides, it is important 

 that they be planted deep, lest when the crop be grown, many 

 of the tubers be found upon the surface, exposed to the scald- 

 ing heat of the sun, that renders them poisonous to the human 

 stomach. Many a person has been made sick, and no doubt 

 some of tender age have died, from the effects of eating 

 potatoes that were grown outside the soil. Such tubers may 

 always be known by their green color. Some persons prefer 

 to plant in hills, others in drills. We have tried both methods, 

 and rather prefer the latter, with flat culture. If your field 

 has not been thoroughly drained, do this, even at planting 

 time, nothing will pay you better. In soil where water stag- 

 nates, potatoes cannot thrive, more than man in stagnant air. 

 Potatoes after being planted, do not spring up quick, like some 

 other kinds of vegetables, and therefore the weeds often make 

 considerable headway, before the young plants make their 

 appearance. For this reason, and not for this only, it is a 

 good practice to cultivate between the rows, or to harrow the 

 field before the plants come up ; this will not only destroy a 

 vast amount of weeds, but it will loosen the soil so that it will 

 admit the air freely, which will combine with the moist earth, 

 and prepare food for the tender plants that will quicken and 

 invigorate their growth. As soon as the plants are of a suit- 

 able size, a cultivator should again be run between the rows, 

 and some fresh mold be brought up to them. This should be 

 often repeated until the blossom buds begin to appear. After- 

 ward, the soil should not be disturbed more than is necessary 

 to chop and pull up the weeds. This should not, on any 



