ON FARM GARDENING. 
61 
determine what is best. But a knowledge of the analysis of 
the crop is necessary to intelligent experimentation. Nitro- 
gen and potash will evidently be demanded in most cases, 
yet the Ohio Station recently reports that "phosphoric acid 
has been the controlling factor in the increase of the potato 
yields" in the trials made there. This shows how greatly 
soils vary in their requirements. 
Barnyard manure would answer all purposes and would 
be an ideal potato fertilizer, except for the fact that it so 
often carries with it the spores of such diseases as blight, 
scab and rot. Still, barnyard manure in a partly rotted con- 
dition is very widely used by potato growers. 
Clover sod is an excellent source of nitrogen, as hereto- 
fore explained. The clover is, perhaps, the best of the 
leguminous crops for green manuring purposes. Many 
successful potato farmers depend largely upon clover, sup- 
plementing it with a small amount of high-grade complete 
fertilizer in the rows. 
Where phosphoric acid is necessary, it can be had in the 
form of ground bone or acidulated rock, and potash can be 
had in the form of sulphate or as kainit. Where the scab is 
prevalent, it may prove better to use kainit, on account of 
the salt which it contains, as will be presently explained. 
Planting — It requires from seven to ten bushels of tubers 
to plant an acre. Some growers use as much as fifteen 
bushels. The date of planting, depth, distance between rows, 
etc., are details for individual determination. Flat culture is 
better than ridge culture, so far as conservation of moisture 
is concerned. It is important that good Northern-grown 
seed be planted; tubers which have not lost their strength 
by excessive sprouting. Storage in a cool, dark, dry place 
is best for potatoes. Whether planted early or late, or at 
successional dates, must be determined by the market re- 
quirements of the grower. 
