Vegetable Growing in Colorado. 
23 
POTATOES. 
For many years, Colorado has ranked among the leading states 
of the Union in growing potatoes, and though the growers in some 
sections, at the present time, are confronted with serious problems 
as regards diseases and soil conditions, yet the state will doubtless 
continue to maintain her position in the production of this valuable 
crop. 
Soil .—In general, the best soil for potatoes is a deep sandy 
loam underlaid by a porous subsoil. The character of the subsoil 
is important. Even the heavier soils are often productive when the 
subsoil below is gravel or porous clay. Heavy clay soils which 
easily become puddled are not suitable for potatoes. The soils in 
the immediate vicinity of Fort Collins are largely of this character, 
and growers have not been successful in producing a profitable 
crop. It is possible that the addition of large quantities of stable 
manure will so lighten up the soil as to give better results. 
Preparation of the Soil .—The preparation of the soil for po¬ 
tato growing is of great importance, as the tubers must have a con¬ 
genial medium in which to develop. Potatoes should always be 
grown as a factor in some system of crop rotation. Very often 
they are planted to follow alfalfa. In turn they are followed by 
peas for canning, sugar beets, small grain or alfalfa. Wherever 
possible they should not be grown on the same soil more than once 
in four or five years, and, especially where diseases are prevalent. 
Where stable manure can be obta’ned, a liberal dressing should be 
applied in the fall and turned under. Cross-plow the land again 
in the spring, a short time before planting, and follow with a thor¬ 
ough harrowing. Do not plow or harrow the land while wet, as 
it will destroy the texture and leave the soil lumpy. 
PI nting .—Planting may be done by hand on a small scale, 
but when large areas are devoted to potatoes, a mechanical planter 
is necessary. These are of two types—the “picker” and “non¬ 
picker” planters. The former requires one man who thoroughly 
understands his business to operate, while the non-picker type re¬ 
quires two men to operate. Both have been satisfactory in Colo¬ 
rado. 
The rows are made three to three and one-half feet apart and 
the seed pieces dropped eight to fifteen inches apart in the row. The 
closer distances are used with the early varieties. The seed is cov¬ 
ered to a depth of four or five inches. 
Some growers prefer to use whole seed rather than cut seed, 
and this is advisable where there is much disease. In this case the 
smaller potatoes should, of course, be used, as it would not pay to 
