90 



HIGGLE GARDEN BOOK 



sufficiently deep, hilling-up is unnecessary. One hand 

 hoeing during the season may be desirable. 



Insects and diseases : Every few weeks I spray 

 the vines with a mixture of the full-strength Bor- 

 deaux and Paris green. Spraying should begin wdien 

 the plants are about four inches high and continue 

 as long as growth lasts. Thus bugs, early and late 

 blight, mildew, rot, etc., may usually be kept in check 

 with one combined mixture. The potato-stalk weevil 

 which sometimes bores in the stalks, can be kept 

 down by prompt gathering and burning of vines 

 when the crop is dug; badly infested vines should 

 be pulled and burned at any time. 



Wireworms (not angleworms) are very slender, 

 yellowish, hard-bodied worms that are often trouble- 

 some in the soil ; usually, however, these pests dis- 

 like ground which has been heavily enriched with 

 chemical fertilizers ; 'tis said that fall-plowing, fol- 

 lowed by a spring application of 150 pounds of ni- 

 trate of soda, and 1,000 pounds of kainit to the acre, 

 is particularly good to conquer wireworms. This 

 should be sown broadcast and harrowed in before 



FURROWS WITH A PLOW ^^^^^^ ^J^^ praCtisC 



for several years, and turn the hens on the field when- 

 ever possible — particularly after plowing or harrowing. 

 Varieties : Each locality has its favorites ; study 



the crop is planted. 



HAND-PLANTING OF POTATOES ; 

 OPENING AND CLOSING THE 

 FURROWS WITH A PLOW 



(Thisis forthe worms, 

 mainly, and is not a 

 balanced fertilizer 

 mixture. Some bone 

 meal or phosphate 

 might be added to 

 help balance the food 

 needs of the plant). 



