II 
i strictly chemical sense, could be termed a strong fertilizer. 
The belief is, that the limited amount of potash salts con¬ 
fined in the ashes, is in a readily assimilative form and this, 
with the sudden action of the heat, causing friability, with 
:he presence of the ashes in the soil, produces a most salutary 
:ondition, both chemically and mechanically. 
The management ot the soil may of course, work a great 
idvantage or disadvantage. To grow first-class crops of 
potatoes, the soil should be in such a state of cultivation that 
it will yield to several inches beneath the surface, under the 
pressure of the foot. This condition cannot be secured on 
ordinary soils, so long as the ground is flooded with water 
when irrigated. 
It is difficult for the ordinary farmer to understand that 
irrigation is, or should be, a supplement to cultivation;' that, 
stirring the surface soil, obstructs its capillarity and, virtu¬ 
ally promotes the existence of an underground reservoir, 
retained by its mulch, or upper layer. 
A proper understanding of the relative needs of plant 
and soil in connection with irrigation, is destined to make 
clear, many of the perplexing difficulties, which are met by 
Colorado agriculturists, and no crop will better repay for 
the application of the required knowledge, than the potato 
crop. 
. The use of straw ashes as a fertilizer is, perhaps, the 
easiest, quickest and at present, cheapest way in which to 
supply the mineral elements most needed in the growth of 
potatoes. However, it must not be inferred that this is the 
only, or even the best way to raise potatoes in the Arkansas 
Valley. This is simply, the pioneer work. Its results point 
to the attainment of a better knowledge of the co-operative 
and co-relative elements in nature and their nicer depend¬ 
encies, which may be secured by the careful study of prac¬ 
tical agriculture. 
It is not improbable that a heavy crop of green alfalfa, 
plowed under in July or August, with, perhaps, the addition 
of a small amount of ashes or commercial fertilizer the fol¬ 
lowing spring, may produce a very desirable combination for 
potato ground. 
There is yet much work to be done in this line, but in 
the meantime, it is believed any farmer may raise potatoes, 
sufficient at least, for home consumption, by following the 
methods described in this bulletin and epitomized below: 
1st.—Select the best soil. 
2nd.—Cover with straw in Winter. 
3rd.—Burn just before plowing and plow deep. 
4th.—Use seed from higher altitudes. 
5th—Plant very early or very late, five inches deep, in rows north and south. 
6th.—Stir the surface soil frequently when the plants are small. 
7th.—Irrigate, if needed, in furrows when plants are in blossom and after 
they are once wet, never allow them to get thoroughly dry until growth ceases. 
