144 The Potato 



matter. The region is so damp that the higher and 

 dryer parts are usually considered safer and better for 

 potatoes than those lying lower. The more or less 

 gravelly limestone loam soil crumbles easily and seldom 

 gives trouble by baking. With such conditions under 

 which surplus of water is more to be feared than a de- 

 ficiency, Maine growers use an extreme ridge culture. 

 Instead of leveling down the ridges left by the planter and 

 depending mainly on the use of leveling tools and the 

 weeder to kill the weeds sprouting among the plants in 

 the row, Maine growers kill the weeds in the row by 

 ridging several times. There is little danger that the 

 growing plants in the ridges will suffer from lack of 

 moisture. Ridge culture is also the favorite in the ad- 

 joining provinces of Canada, in which conditions are 

 similar. This culture is suited to wet climates and 

 wet seasons. Digging is rendered easier by ridging 

 where the soil is likely to be wet. The first ridging after 

 the plants come through the ground covers the small 

 plants and prevents injury from late frosts. In many 

 other sections, such covering would result in baking 

 the soil. Ridging is necessary under the methods of 

 irrigation in order to prevent injury to the potato plants 

 from the irrigating water. 



Long Island potato-growing stands as an example of 

 prosperous farming, where a different method than the 

 ordinary is used. The soil of Long Island is a rather 

 light sand which is easily tilled and dries out quickly 

 after rain. Level culture is used because much better 

 yields are secured than by ridging. Less soil surface is 

 exposed to evaporate water by level culture. 



Partly owing to the high prices in late summer, Long 

 Island potatoes are planted as early in the spring as the 



