EARLY POTATOES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 192, 15 August 1931, Page 19 (Supplement)

EARLY POTATOES

.SOIL AND FERTILISERS. \ not her erop that should claim attention should be the planting out of a good break of early potatoes, as many of the very early planted crops cannot fail to have suffered from the cold, uncongenial conditions experienced. In any case, sets planted at this time in any reasonable well-prepared ground will stand a better chance to succeed and produce better crops. Even for present planting a warm, sunny spot, where the soil is comparatively dry. or easily drained of surplus moisture, should be selected. If the sets have been sprouted they should be carefully looked over, and aiy showing weak spindly shoots should be discarded. If the soil has beci well worked and manured for a previous crop, no fresh manure need be applied at the time of planting. Sprinkling the rows with some stimulating manure after the plants are well above ground, and at the time of earthing up will invariably giye better results. For the early crop fairly shallow planting and keeping the plants well earthed up as they advance in growth is preferable to deep plant*n»- as roots derive more warmth by this treatment.