The Potato is broadly cultivated in temperate areas, and its stem tubers, which develop underground, are a preferred meals. A young, herbaceous perennial. The plant comes from South America the place it was extremely valued by the Indians. Its botanical identify is Solanum tuberosum; it belongs to the household Solanaceae.
Rising and Planting Potatoes.
Potatoes could be cultivated in many various sorts of soil, however the most interesting crops are dug from well-drained loamy land. They might be planted on the identical website 12 months after 12 months with good outcomes, if the bottom is maintained in a fertile situation by liming, manuring and so forth. In a backyard of reasonable measurement, nonetheless, it’s smart to incorporate the Potatoes in any system of rotation of crops which can be practiced in order that they shall have a change of soil periodically.
Making ready the Floor.
The perfect technique to put together heavy, clayey land for Potato cultivation is to plow or dig it in autumn; it’s left in a tough situation all through the winter months. When the bottom dries in spring the soil will break into small particles—in different phrases, it is going to be friable when harrowed or forked over. Publicity to rain, frost and wind does immense good to land of this kind.
If this plan can’t be adopted, it’s the customized of some gardeners who need to plant Potatoes on clayey land to plant as they dig. The tubers, set in a furrow, are coated by soil because the digging proceeds. This technique is advantageous as a result of as soon as the positioning is planted it’s not trodden on once more till late spring or early summer time when the primary earthing-up or weeding is completed, and by that point the floor can have dried.
Gentle or well-drained loamy soil must be plowed or dug in spring, manure or compost being buried within the furrow or trench because the work proceeds. It’s not mandatory or fascinating to manure land closely for Potato cultivation within the backyard. A reasonable dressing of decayed manure or compost, placed on the land and combined with it, and supplemented by a number of purposes of an appropriate full fertilizer, will guarantee passable outcomes.
Sprouting.
The preparation of the units or planting tubers, generally referred to as “seed potatoes,” is a matter of nice significance as a result of it has a substantial impact on the yield. It has been discovered that if Potato tubers already possessing just a few sprouts are planted, a heavier crop will end result than if dormant or unsprouted tubers are used.
Tubers required for planting in spring must be chosen fastidiously; these weighing about 2 oz., or the scale of a small hen’s egg, are thought of to be probably the most appropriate. Bigger tubers could, nonetheless, be used; they are often reduce into items, every half to incorporate just a few sprouts, at planting time. To supply sprouts the tubers are set on finish in shallow containers, or specifically made trays having quick wood legs which permit of their being positioned on high of one another to avoid wasting house. That is performed 2-4 weeks earlier than planting time.
What is known as the “rose” finish of the tuber, that which possesses the higher variety of “eyes” or buds, is positioned uppermost. The containers or trays should be in a light-weight, pretty heat place; there the tubers begin into development and by planting time will possess a number of quick, sturdy sprouts. It’s mandatory that the tubers be absolutely open to the sunshine or the sprouts might be weak and “drawn.”
Sprouting earlier than planting them is strongly to be advisable for all sorts, however it’s particularly mandatory within the cultivation of early varieties; Potatoes handled on this means will begin into development before dormant tubers.
Lowering the Variety of Sprouts.
Earlier than the tubers are planted the query of the variety of sprouts to be left on every one should be determined.
If just one sprout is left on every tuber, the crop will include a restricted variety of giant Potatoes; if two sprouts are left there might be numerous giant Potatoes, and others of excellent measurement; if three sprouts are left there might be a sure variety of small tubers, though most of them might be giant or fair-sized. If all of the sprouts are left on, or if dormant tubers are planted, the variety of small Potatoes might be nonetheless higher.
For basic backyard cultivation, one of the best apply is to go away two or three sprouts on every of the tubers.
There isn’t a doubt as to the benefits of sprouting the tubers earlier than planting and limiting the variety of sprouts. This ensures early growth and a minimal of small Potatoes, and thus prevents waste of crop.
Potatoes as a Cleansing Crop.
Those that are confronted with the issue of creating a brand new backyard on land which has not been cultivated beforehand or which has been out of cultivation for a few years, and bringing the soil into good situation for sowing or planting, will discover it a wonderful plan to crop it with Potatoes for the primary 12 months. There isn’t a higher cleansing crop for brand spanking new land.
The positioning must be plowed or dug in spring to do away with tree roots and as many perennial weeds as doable. The Potatoes are planted in spring. In the course of the summer time months the practices of weeding, hoeing and earthing-up will assist very significantly to domesticate the land, break down lumpy soil and do away with coarse weeds. By the tip of the summer time or early autumn, the bottom might be in first-rate situation for sowing or planting after the crop of Potatoes has been lifted.
It’s most necessary to have the positioning totally ready the place it’s supposed to make a brand new garden by sowing Grass seeds, and Potato cultivation is good preparation. Early September is an appropriate time to sow the Grass seeds, and if a crop of early Potatoes is grown they are going to be off the bottom by the tip of August, thus permitting time for the ultimate leveling and seedbed preparation. The Potato tops, or vines, must be burnt on the positioning, along with another backyard garbage which needs to be destroyed; this apply helps to do away with weed seeds and seedling weeds and thus saves labor later.
There are two chief sorts or lessons of Potato —the Early, and the Maincrop or Late; quite a few varieties of every kind can be found.
The First Plantings.
The earliest crops of Potatoes are produced from plantings of Early varieties made as quickly in spring as soil and climate situations permit. It will usually be 1-2 weeks earlier than the typical date of the final killing frost within the locality however in sheltered places (resembling on a south-facing slope protected against chilly winds by a windbreak or hedge) on sandy soils, they could be planted 3-4 weeks earlier than the typical date of the final killing frost. This latter date varies significantly, after all, in line with geographical locality. Gardeners not accustomed to it, because it applies to their very own gardens, could get hold of info from the County Agricultural Agent of the county during which they stay or could also be guided as to when to plant by the practices of native specialists.
On heavy (clayey) soils planting cannot be performed fairly as early as on mild (sandy) ones. Certainly not ought to planting be performed till the soil is in a workable, crumbly situation; planting in moist, sticky soil is bound to convey disappointing outcomes.
As quickly as younger shoots from the Potatoes present by way of the floor of the bottom and are 2-3 in. tall, soil must be drawn (hilled) as much as them with a hoe or plow so that each one besides the very suggestions of the shoots is roofed; this serves as a safety in opposition to chilly.
Tubers (units) of Early Potatoes are planted 4 in. deep and 12-15 in. aside in rows spaced 18-24 in. aside. It’s a nice benefit to put a layer of compost or decayed manure within the furrows earlier than planting. The tubers root freely into both of those supplies, and vigorous development is thus promoted.
Early Potatoes could also be dug as quickly because the tubers of the brand new crop are giant sufficient to make use of. This may be ascertained by lifting a plant or two as a trial, and can normally be inside 10-12 weeks from the time of planting.
Crops needn’t be all lifted without delay; the higher plan for the house gardener is to dig his Early Potatoes as he wants them for desk use, and thus to increase the harvest over a interval of a number of weeks. It should be remembered that the Potato vegetation hale not accomplished their season’s development when the primary ones are lifted on the finish of 10 or 12 weeks; if the vegetation are left within the floor the tubers will enhance in measurement and quantity (and thus give a heavier crop) for a while after these Potatoes have been eliminated.
Early sorts of Potatoes can have accomplished their development and matured by July or August, in line with locality, by which period Maincrop varieties might be obtainable for digging for instant desk use. Early varieties must be all lifted when maturity is reached, which is evidenced by the tops’ dying down naturally.
It can’t be stated that Potatoes want an excessive amount of consideration through the summer time months; the 2 particulars of chief significance are weeding and earthing-up. As quickly because the tops present by way of the soil, the bottom between the rows must be forked over shallowly, the soil being damaged down into small particles. In a while, it must be hoed regularly to maintain down weeds. The work of earthing-up will then be a relatively easy matter for the soil might be friable and simply moved. Earthing-up, when the soil is tough and lumpy, is a laborious activity and it can’t be carried out satisfactorily.
Fertilizers for Potatoes.
Earlier than the soil is earthed up fertilizer must be utilized alongside the vegetation. Specifically compounded mixtures made for the aim are offered by horticultural shops and might be discovered useful. Or the next combination might be discovered passable: superphosphate, 5 components, and sulphate of ammonia, two components, the combination being utilized on the fee of three oz. per yard run of row.
Earthing-up is completed by drawing up the soil on both sides of the row in order that it helps the Potato stems and leaves only some inches of vine or development uncovered. It shouldn’t be accomplished on one event. The primary earthing-up is completed when the Potato tops are about 6 in. excessive and the second about 4 weeks later. The aim of earthing-up is to help the stems of the vegetation and to guard the tubers and assist their growth.
A second planting of early Potatoes could also be made 2-3 weeks after the earliest varieties. The tubers are set 5 in. deep, and 15 in. aside, in rows 24 in. from one another. They need to be handled in the way in which already defined as far as the small print of sprouting the tubers, planting, the usage of fertilizers and earthing-up are involved.
Late or Maincrop Potatoes.
These are planted in about 6 weeks after the primary earlies; they supply the chief provide through the winter and early spring months and might be prepared to be lifted in September. The tubers are set 5 in. deep and 18 in. aside in rows, 2-2 1/2 ft. from one another. It’s a mistake to crowd them, for that forestalls the soil from being correctly cultivated between the rows. The opposite particulars of administration—sprouting the tubers, planting, the appliance of fertilizers and earthing-up—are carried out in the way in which already described. Within the house backyard, it’s normally greatest to focus on early crops; late potatoes want a great deal of care with spraying.
Lifting Potatoes.
There isn’t a benefit in leaving Potatoes within the floor after the leaves have turned yellow; it’s, in reality, unwise to take action, for there they’re uncovered to threat of injury by soil pests of varied varieties.
After they’ve been dug, the Potatoes must be left on the bottom for 2 or three hours if the climate is okay, in order that the skins could harden earlier than they’re saved. If the climate is moist it’s a good plan to unfold them out underneath cowl of a shed or different appropriate place.
Storing Potatoes.
The Potatoes should not be uncovered to the sunshine for various hours or they may start to show inexperienced and can thus be rendered unfit to be used within the kitchen. When dry, they could be saved in sacks or containers, in any cool, darkish, frostproof place. Solely sound Potatoes must be saved in bulk; if diseased ones are put away with sound ones, the latter may be spoiled. A winter storage temperature of 35-40 levels is fascinating for greatest outcomes.
There are numerous sorts of Potato. These might be discovered described in seed catalogs. It’s smart to seek the advice of your State Agricultural Experiment Station or your County Agricultural Agent concerning varieties particularly advisable for explicit soils and localities.
