62 BULLETIN 1005, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Thus the farm practice of the Eastern Shore of Virginia in growing 

 potatoes has become practically standardized to include the following 

 points : 



For potato production use well-drained, sandy loam soils. 



Grow a cover crop or green manuring crop on the land in the winter preceding the 

 planting of potatoes — rye, wheat, or oats, and crimson clover preferred. 



Use stable manure, composted with "shatters" and leaf mold, broadcasted over the 

 field. 



Apply, usually in the row, 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of a commercial fertilizer which, 

 preferably, does not depart far from the standard formula of 7 per cent ammonia, 6 per 

 cent phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent potash. 



Cultivate clean and ridge up the crop. 



Interplant corn in alternate middles before the crop blossoms. 



Dig part of the crop early and allow the balance to come nearly to maturity. 



Market the crop cooperatively. 



These are the distinctive and common characteristics of Irish 

 potato production in the two Eastern Shore counties of Virginia. 



Sweet potatoes.— Replies were received from 62 growers of sweet 

 potatoes, who report 810.5 acres. The individual acreage ranges 

 from 1 to 72 acres, with the majority reporting from 5 to 20 acres. 

 The average is about 13 acres for each grower reporting. 



As in the case of Irish potatoes, the use of a cover crop in the 

 rotation is almost universal. Rye or wheat and crimson clover 

 predominate for this purpose. Manure is used wherever available, 

 although a marked tendency to use the supply upon Irish potatoes 

 is indicated. 



The fertilizers used vary decidedly. The formulae reported range 

 from 2 to 7 per cent ammonia, from 5 to 11 per cent phosphoric acid, 

 and from to 10 per cent potash. The majority of the replies show 

 that mixtures containing from 3 to 7 per cent ammonia, from 5 to 8 

 per cent phosphoric acid, and from 3 to 8 per cent potash are pre- 

 ferred. Some growers use the same formula as for Irish potatoes, 

 but the majority use brands containing less ammonia. 



The quantities applied also vary greatly, ranging from 300 to 1 ,400 

 pounds per acre, with the majority using from 500 to 800 pounds or 

 considerably less than for Irish potatoes. The tendency of the 

 plants to run to vines if large amounts of nitrogenous fertilizer are 

 used is noted by some growers. 



The reported yields of sweet potatoes range from 40 to 110 barrels 

 per acre, the majority of the reports giving between 60 and 70 barrels. 



The soil preferences are very definite. Fifty-one growers, or 86.5 

 per cent of all who express an opinion, prefer a sandy loam soil for 

 the crop, five prefer a loam, and 3 some other class of soil. 



It may be said that both the Sassafras and Keyport sandy loams 

 are used for this crop. The former is generally preferred, but the 

 latter may be used successfully, as it ordinarily dries out sufficiently 



