Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — GROW POTATOES IN BARRELS [ARTICLE]

GROW POTATOES IN BARRELS

Evansville, September 21. —Hundreds of families in Evansville have barrels in their back yards and gardens in which they are growing potatoes. The farmers living around Evansville have taken up the fad. and in driving through the country one will find dozens of barrels in many barn lots, all planted in potatoes. Thbse who have tried this experiment say ft is a great- success. Robert Hall of 1123 East Illinois street says he has raised from two to three bushels of potatoes in a single barrel. An ordinary sugar barrel, costing 25 cents, is used. The bottom is knocked out of the barrel, which

is inserted in the ground to tha depth of about three or four inches, and then the potatoes are planted and covered, as under ordinary conditions. After the potatoes havO-come up two or three inches they are covered with dirt and the tops are permitted to remain out. When they grow three or four inches more they are covered again, but the tops still remain out. This is repeated until the plants, reach the top and the barrel has been filled with good, rich dirt. The plants then are permitted to die and late in the fall the barrel is opened. It is said that for each time the potato plants are covered there will be a layer of fine potatoes.