Hints for Country Settlers

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 147, 4 June 1891, Page 3

Hints for Country Settlers

.^POTATO PLANTING-. There is no advantage in too early -planting,' particularly in stiff soils. Ifc olfcen happens that the pofcatos "in thi> juiglibourhoo J are cut down by fwwfc after they are well, above .the ground, thereby causing a check to their growth from which they never entirely reco\er. . When the .jo.mg plants have been seyerely injured by frost they will not produce so heavy a crop by, one third as they would have done had they continued their growth, unchecked. \A. new potato called The Bruce has lately been introduced, which 'is said- Go be practically frost proof. I grew some last season and found it to be .-very, good in every respect and a splendid cropper. I cannot say, however, whether, or to,, what extent, it may be frost proof. ' 'The frost did not N affect mine certainly, but. for that matter other sorts I haye growing beside them also escaped. If you look up almost any seedsman's catalogue jou will find it stated that potat. es should -be-planted " m rows two feet wide and one ■foot apart in the rows." That is quite too close to obtain the best results, make the rows three feet apart. You "will have more soil for earthing up, and a heavier crop. "When planting, some 'jeople place the set with the eye down, 'inos't people put them in any way, but the 'proper way is. to place the eye uppermost, of eoiu-se 1 am only 'speaking of the single " 'eye culture. As soon as the plants appear above' the ground the hoe should be used "freely, to check 'the growth of weeds and" break the crust that has formed on the top of .the soil, and earthing up should be ' -commenced when the plants have grown •about 3 inches high. Too much soil ■should not be placed round the stems at " one time." About 2 inches ' at' intervals of 'about a fortnight is best and care must be taken not to bruise the foliage while "•earthing. — I am, &c, . , Spud.