POTATO CULTIVATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 June 1938, Page 12

POTATO CULTIVATION

HOW TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS. To obtain the best results in the cultivation of the potato, the preparation of the soil is of paramount importance, and this work should be undertaken without delay, so that the soil may derive the fullest benefit frqm the winds arid frosts of winter, which pulverise, and sweeten the soil, and incidentally expose any insect pests lurking there to the keen eyes of the ever-watchful birds. If possible, choose a piece of ground on which potatoes have not been grow/n for a year or two at least, as the continuous cropping with potatoes tends to encourage disease, but when a system of rotation cropping is followed this danger is to a great extent eliminated. A medium loamy soil is the most suitable, arid if it is in fairly good heart only a moderate dressing of farmyard'manure will be necessary. A too rich soil engenders gross top growth, which is soft and more liable to the attacks of disease than that of a more hardy character. Dig the soil to a depth of at least two feet, incorporating the animal manure as the work proceeds, and leave the surface in a rough state.

When planting time arrives the soil must be thoroughly broken up, reducing it to as fine a tilth as possible and leaving it quite level. In planting allow three feet between the rows, and let the rows run north ■ and south, thereby ensuring for the plants a maximum of air and sunshine, which are very necessary for their proper development. Allown some 20 inches between the sets. Regarding the seeds it is of great benefit to change these frequently, obtaining fresh stocks from other districts whenever possible. The preparation of the seeds before planting is also of vital importance and a great help to the productivity and earliness of the crops. Select sound tubers and arrange them in shallow boxes with the growing end up. Place them in a sunny position, away from frosts. As the shoots begin to lengthen thin them out, leaving only three or four to develop. When planting time arrives, which will be according to locality and weather conditions, make drills six inches deep, sprinkling along the bottoms about an inch deep a mixture of bonfire ash and leaf mould and on this place the sets, carefully covering with fine soil so as not to break the tender shoots. As soon as the haulm appears above the soil draw a little soil over

if there is danger of frosts, continuing to do as the growths lengthen until all danger is . over. As growth becomes active a sprinkling of some approved fertiliser may be applied. Keep the hoe going on every favourable opportunity to keep down weeds and aerate the soil, and as the haulm lengthens draw the soil well up to them to keep the tubers protected. Treated thus, excellent crops of good quality will be obtained. Above all, avoid overcrowding when growing this crop. To combat the well known potato disease spray at intervals with Bordeaux mixture, remembering that prevention is better than cure.