Potato Culture in Colorado 
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In the plowing under of green crops, the decomposition is 
more rapid and the potato plants get the benefits, not only of the 
fertilizer element in the green crop, but also the benefits of the 
improved soil conditions. It can not be emphasized too strongly 
that the proper soil conditions for the potato are as important 
as the elements of fertility, and soil fertility in its broadest sense 
includes proper soil conditions. 
PREPARATION OF THE LAND 
Plowing .—Deep plowing is necessary on most kinds of soil, 
especially on lands which have a tendency to bake and become 
hard, either after rain, or after irrigation. The potato plant is 
a deep feeder, and for the maximum production the soil should 
be plowed 10 to 12 inches deep. The plowing under of alfalfa 
should be done in the fall. The fall plowing should be just deep 
enough (about 4 or 5 inches) to kill the alfalfa plant. In the 
early spring, the land should be cross-plowed to the depth of 10 
or 12 inches, and harrowed and thoroughly pulverized. It is an 
excellent practice on heavy soils to follow the alfalfa with a small 
grain crop, fall plow the land to the depth of 10 to 12 inches, and 
then cross plow in the spring, fit the land and plant potatoes. 
The potato crop will then receive a greater benefit from the 
plowed-under alfalfa, as the roots and stems have had a chance to 
decompose and the soil is in better physical condition for the potato 
plant. 
ROTATION OF CROPS 
All successful potato growers now agree that potatoes should 
not be grown more than once in succession on the same land, and 
that a potato crop should be preceded with the plowing under of 
a crop of alfalfa or clover. Whether the potatoes should follow 
immediately after the alfalfa or clover, or the year following, 
depends upon soil conditions. Equally good results have been 
ol)tained from both methods. On the heavier land, the soil un¬ 
doubtedly would be in better condition for potatoes if an interven¬ 
ing crop of grain were planted between the alfalfa and the 
])otatoes. On the lighter soils, this is not necessarv. Usually 
the second or the third cutting of alfalfa is plowed under, or the 
second crop of clover. Clover is now extensively planted in higher 
mountain valleys in place of alfalfa, and is giving excellent results. 
It is easier to kill out, and the soil can be put into perfect condi¬ 
tion with less expense than after alfalfa. 
A crop of potatoes puts the soil in best possible condition 
for small grains, and the labor expended in the preparation of 
the land for potatoes is repaid, not only from the potato crop, 
