LEADING VEGKTABLE CROPS 203 



quantity of these various elements removed from 

 the soil, potatoes may be looked upon as a potash 

 crop. However, potash may be present in many 

 soils in sufficient amounts for proper growth, 

 while phosphorus is wanting. Under these con- 

 ditions phosphorus will, of course, give the better 

 results. Experiments carried on at the Ohio 

 Experiment Station, as well as others, have 

 demonstrate4 the value of phosphates in the pro- 

 duction of the potato. From 500 to 1,000 pounds of 

 commercial fertilizer, analyzing approximately 2-8- 

 16 or in some localities 2-10-8, will generally prove a 

 profitable investment. When the larger amounts 

 are to be applied it is a good plan to apply one-half 

 before planting with the drill, and the other half in 

 the rows at planting time. The smaller amounts 

 are usually distributed entirely in the rows. It is 

 generally considered best to fertilize a few days 

 in advance of the planting. During dry seasons 

 the crop may be damaged to a considerable extent 

 by the presence of too much fertilizer near the 

 developing roots. 



The selection of seed should be given more care- 

 ful consideration than is generally done. The source 

 of seed is especially important from the standpoint 

 of probable infection from serious disease pests as 

 well as length of season required for development. 

 Northern grown seed is desired by southern 

 truck growers, chiefly for the reason that such 

 seed has a tendency to mature in a shorter 

 time, thus increasing earliness. While many meth- 

 ods of seed selection are used by successful growers, 

 it may be safely stated that medium or average-sized 

 tubers, selected from high-producing hills, uni- 

 versally give the best results. The matter of select- 

 ing the seed with reference to productiveness is 



