21 
The Potato Industry or Colorado. 
and conserves the moisture which is needed to start the plant, and 
also warms the ground by preventing evaporation. Before planting, 
the soil should be leveled and thoroughly harrowed, or disked and 
harrowed so as to secure an even seed bed, fined to a depth of three 
or four inches. 
Early potatoes. 
The Early Potato, a Small 
Plant. —It is impossible for an 
early potato to rival in production 
a larger later sort. An early po¬ 
tato of maximum yield is a seeds¬ 
man’s dream. However, we 
should study to secure from an 
early sort its maximum yield. 
This will be done by growing a 
large number of plants per acre. 
A Good Start, above all 
things else, is the very founda¬ 
tion stone of early potato grow¬ 
ing. This does not mean planting 
before ground and season are 
ready, but it does mean good soil 
fall plowed perhaps and everlast¬ 
ingly spring tilled, and ditching, 
irrigating and re-levelling before 
planting if the moisture condition be not right. Mellow surface 
with moisture both shallow and deep are absolutely required for 
success. 
Close Planting both in the row and between the rows with 
slope enough to run water in small ditches, rich loose soil, special 
tools for narrow rows,* small footed and narrow tread horses or 
mules are needed for success with early potatoes. 
Lozv Altitntde is not Essential to the growing of early pota¬ 
toes. It is best done at from 5,000 to 7,000 feet elevation and such 
regions can supply the market soon after the Ivaw Valley, while 
from 8,000 feet earlies can supply the market all of September. 
The cool summers, with slope and sunshine, make it possible to 
force potatoes with water, in ways impossible eleswhere without 
causing ruinous disease. 
Potatoes in Orchards should be of early sorts so that the irri¬ 
gation, tillage, and digging may be past in time for the new wood 
*Funds permitting, in 1911 and 1912 we hope to work out special 
tools and methods for growing early potatoes in Colorado. 
