48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



is not brought in direct contact with the young tubers. This last 

 method is very expensive, as it requires from twenty-five to thirty 

 two-horse wagon loads to the acre to produce an average yield. 

 Common raw muck is a good manure for potatoes, and strange to 

 say it is almost worthless in that state for any other crop. 



CULTIVATION. 



The cultivation of potatoes means, in plain terms, to keep the 

 ground loose and entirely free from weeds. It is to the farmer's 

 interest to accomplish these objects at the least possible cost. 

 This may be done by the use of the lifting subsoil plow, and Knox's 

 or Howes' horse hoe. When the young vines are three or four 

 inches above the surface, run a horse hoe between the rows to 

 level the ridges, as the ground between is higher than the rows. 

 The loose earth falling between the young stock, prevents the 

 weeds from appearing directly in the rows. Then run the subsoil 

 plow on either side of the rows to a depth of six or eight inches — 

 this operation leaves the soil in nice order. In eight or ten days 

 later the horse hoe is again used, running close to the rows ; the 

 share so managed as to throw some loose earth between the stock 

 at each cultivation. When the vines are eight or ten inches long, 

 the subsoil plow may again be used, running the same as the first 

 time. The remainder of the culture may be done with the hand 

 hoe. 



By adopting this method of culture no hand tools are required, 

 and the expense is lessened at least twenty-five per cent. As soon 

 as the blossoms appear, all cultivation should cease ; by disturbing 

 the vines after that time the crop is materially injured. 



* GATHERING THE CROP. 



This operation, which used to be so tedious and laborious, is, 

 since the introduction of the horse potato digger, made an easy 

 task. I have used Allen's patent, and although not perfect by any 

 means, still I have taken out with this machine, one pair of horses 

 and eight persons, 250 bushels potatoes per day, and had to stop 

 the team early in the afternoon for want of more help to pick up. 

 This digger resembles a double moldboard plow with the mold- 

 board cut out in long bars or rods, leaving a space of two inches 

 between the rods. In using it a horse walks on either side of the 

 row of potatoes, and the digger goes under the potatoes ; the fine 

 earth falling between the bars and the potatoes are left on the 

 surface. It is best to take out every alternate row first and then 

 take out those left. When the field has been gone through in this 

 way the digger is again run in each row to be sure the potatoes are 

 all out. 



