The Potato Industry oe Colorado. 29 
such shallow growing varieties as Pearl, as deep as four inches be¬ 
low the level. 
Width of Rows.% —With most growers of late potatoes the 
average distance is 38 inches. This gives room for the planter, cul¬ 
tivator, ditcher, and 1 digger to be used without interfering with 
the growth of the plants. 
The Distance Apart of the plants in the rows depends on the 
variety and the richness of the soil, and varies considerably in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the State. At Greeley, the average distance in the 
row we find to be thirteen inches on alfalfa land, and where pota¬ 
toes follow potatoes or a grain crop, the distance is fifteen inches. 
On the rich lands of the Western Slope, potatoes are planted as 
close as twelve inches or even eight inches apart in the row, espe¬ 
cially for Rurals on alfalfa land.* * 
In Dryland Districts, the distances apart for potatoes is much 
greater, as the plants need more space from which to draw mois¬ 
ture. In this case from eighteen to twenty-four inches is close- 
enough, the closer distance being for early sorts. 
cultivating. 
Packing of the Soil by the horses’ feet when planting is un¬ 
avoidable on our heavier lands, thus leaving the soil in poor con¬ 
dition for holding moisture, and also for the growth of the tubers. 
These two things, and the tendency of heavy soils to exclude air, 
have brought about a system of cultivation, particularly in the Gree¬ 
ley district, that differs materially from potato cultivation in the 
east. 
The Greeley System .—It was found that in order to loosen up 
the soil and also to kill the alfalfa, it was necessary to cultivate 
deeply soon after planting. Experience soon taught growers that 
this deep cultivation, not only killed the alfalfa, but to a large ex¬ 
tent prevented the development of diseases by loosening and aerating 
the soil. Where irrigation is practiced, and particularly with heavy 
and flat lands, the aerating of the soil is one of the important 
features in growing this crop. 
On Sandy Soils, in some districts of the state, the need for 
this deep cultivation is not so imperative, although we believe that 
in all soils in Colorado that are to be irrigated, some degree of 
this deep cultivation is beneficial, at least once. 
Special Cultivators which do this work satisfactorily have been 
made for Colorado trade. These, while similar to the two horse 
JThese distances are all given for the maincrop potatoes. See else¬ 
where in this bulletin a statement of this matter in relation to Early 
Potatoes. 
*See in this bulletin reports of close planting at Del Norte, Carbon- 
dale and Greeley, and Stands herein. 
