88 1 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



cut, it requires from ten to twelve hundred weight of pota- 

 toes, from 12i to 15 bushels, where the rows are at 27 inches 

 distance ; but this generally depends greatly upon the size 

 of the potatoes used; if they are large a greater weight 

 may be required ; but the extra quality will be abundantly 

 repaid by the superiority of the crop, which large seed 

 usually produces. Plant early in May." 



BABNUM'S PLAN. "Plow deep and pulverize well by 

 thoroughly harrowing ; manure with compost, decomposed 

 vegetables or barnyard manure; the latter preferable. 

 When coarse or raw manure is used it must be spread and 

 plowed in immediately. Stiff clay soil should always be 

 plowed the fall previous. Lay your land in drills 27 inches 

 apart, with a small plow, calculated for turning a deep, nar- 

 row furrow running north and south ; lay on the bottom of 

 the drills 2 inches of well-rotted barnyard manure, or its 

 equivalent, then drop your potatoes, if of the common size, 

 or what is more important, if they retain the usual quan- 

 tity of eyes if more, they should be cut to prevent too 

 many stalks shooting up together : put a single potato in 

 the drills or trenches 10 inches apart, the first should remain 

 uncovered until the second one is deposited, to place them 

 diagonally in the drills, which will afford more space 

 between the potatoes one way, than if laid at right angles 

 in the rows. The covering may be performed with a hoe, 

 first hauling in the furrow raised on each side the drill, 

 then carefully take from the centre of the space the soil to 

 finish the covering to the depth of 3i or 4 inches ; by taking 

 the earth from the centre of the space on either side to the 

 width of 3 inches, it will leave a drain of 6 inches in the 

 centre of the space and a hill of 14 inches in width gently 

 descending from the drill to the drain, the width and depth 

 of the drill will be sufficient to protect the plant against any 

 injurious effects of a scorching sun or drenching rain. The 

 drains in the centre will at all tunes be found sufficient to 

 pass off the surplus water. 



