Potatoes L375 



enough rainfall during the growing season, from May to October, 

 to produce a full crop of anything, much less a crop like the 

 potato, which is three-quarters water. When one realizes that it 

 requires at least 300 pounds of water to produce 1 pound of dry 

 matter in a plant, and considers the tonnage from even a moderate 

 crop of potatoes (75 per cent, water), and then compares this with 

 the average rainfall in his locality during the above-mentioned 

 period, he will appreciate the truth of this statement. YYc must, 

 then, secure a water supply from that in the ground in early spring, 

 derived from melting snows and spring rains, at a time when there 

 is little evaporation from the soil ; and conserve that from the 

 precipitation during the growing season. This can be done in 

 two ways : 





Fig. 416. — Potato Field of H. F. Horton, Stephentown, Rensselaer 

 County, X. Y. Foliage in Perfect Condition as a Result of In- 

 telligent Fertilization and Cultivation, Followed by Thor- 

 ough and Timely Spraying for Bugs and Blight 



1. By preventing evaporation by frequent stirring of the sur- 

 face soil. As fast as the ground is plowed in the spring, it should 

 be harrowed or rolled — not left until the whole field is turned 

 over. This will make the soil compact, and prevent loss of water by 

 drying winds, and by breaking up of the capillary cells which 

 quickly form when the ground is crusted, thus making the spaces so 

 large that the water cannot climb to the surface and escape. If the 

 weather is very dry, it is better to roll as fast as plowed, and then 



