Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1918 — Start Early Potatoes In Trenches on Straw; Cover As Roots Begin to Start [ARTICLE]

Start Early Potatoes In Trenches on Straw; Cover As Roots Begin to Start

Often potatoes planted in April will not come up any earlier than those planted a month or six weeks later. Meanwhile the first seed does not retain the virile strength of the later planted dnes, because of the long wait before germination. The result is discouraging to truck farmers who want to get their spuds started early to get them ready for fancy prices, writes F. E. Brunmer, in Farm and Fireside. I have found are quickly started by the following means: A trench about 10 inches deep is dug in well-drained soil, the bottom being loosened so that the soil is mellow. In the trench straw is laid so that when packed down it has a depth of an inch or two. Next drop the seed at the desired distances apart and leave it lying in the trench uncovered. The larger seed is better for use in getting a quick, early crop. The sun has free opportunity to shine on the seed, when it soon begins to start sprouts. As the roots begin to form, a little dirt is drawn in around the seed. The plant will finally reach the top of the ground level, and the trench can then be filled in—but not before. Potatoes planted in this way will not easily freeze, because they are protected by being lower than the surface of the ground, and should there be danger of freezing it is not much trouble to cover the furrows lightly with straw until the cold wave passes.