2SO 



LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



Potato culture. After the potatoes have been 

 planted, and before they come up, the surface mulch 

 should be provided, and this may be done by light har- 

 rowings. Throughout the whole period of cultivation 

 the weeds should be kept out, the dust mulch provided, 

 and shallow, level cultivation maintained. The old prac- 

 tice of ridging the potatoes serves to expose the soil to 



FIG. 85. SPRAYING POTATOES 



excessive evaporation, and to lessen the quality and 

 quantity of the crop. 



Potato pests. The Colorado potato beetle is the 

 most troublesome potato insect. It can be easily killed 

 by spraying with three pounds of arsenate of lead 

 mixed with fifty gallons of water, or four ounces of 

 Paris green and a pound of lime with the same amount 



