Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1878 — Hilling Potatoes. [ARTICLE]

Hilling Potatoes.

Much lies been published within a few years on the subject of hilling potatoes, and by some the fiat-culture system has been highly recommended. At one time the arguments brought out in its favor were so clear that I experimented on the system, and the result was a very lean harvest of small potatoes. I have no doubt, however, of the sincerity of those who recommend that mode of culture, which probably has been successful under the circumstances by which they were favored. But in farming, as in medicine, there are no fixed and positive rules of practice. In medicine, the constitution, habits and all other peculiarities are to be understood in order to apply safe and efficient remedies. So in farming, the nature and quality of soil, and other conditions, mustbe understood in order to insure successful practice. When the potato rot first appeared hi this country, thirty-five years ago, it was soon discovered that the vines hmre first attacked on low grounds, subject to fogs, and that the disease was on stiff, clammy soils, enriched bv "fermenting manures. This induced farmers to plant on lands high and dry sis the soil was very sandy, so much the better), and to use manures cooling in their nature. The result was a saving of the wop under such management; while where the older system of planting lower fields of more Compact soil, and feeding with heating manures was continued, a failure from rot was the general consequence. - Here was a happy variation of results brought about by & variation $f culture, and wp have no reason to suppose but that a flat culture ot potatoes, under some circumstances, may be successful. Admitting this to b» so, Wje should select sandy or very porou? lam! as the field on which to try this mode of culture; while on a tenacious, clayey soil, or a stiff, loamy one, that requires much working to keep it inga friable condition, I should continue the old system of plowing out, pu’verizirig the soil, and hilling up, for tho following reason: Where such soils aim fiakculturod, they will become compact By the rains and by the atmosphere, io that they become impermeable to the influence of rain and air—two valuable elements of growth— consequently the size of the potato is diminished, and Its quality impaired, by its being deprived of two essentials of "healthy grovjthr^—Ireland, with soil moistened by tho saline breezes of the sea, is famous for potato-growing; and her stalwart sons who come to America are uniformly successful in its culture here, am ofteii raise fine crops of potatoes unden most unfavorable circumstances. Wh« t tbedr practice may be in other local ties, I am not informed; but here, wherfe they form a numerous class, their uniform practice is to hill largely, or if they plant in drills, to bring the eart| into ridges along tho growing crbjt and their crops are large, ' [• ■ - Just when to form the hill is at important consideration in 1 Securing ft' crop, and is better dono after 4 rain than when the ground is very dry; for by hoeing in moisture, a supply Is secured to counteract tho effect of dry weather.— Cor. Country Gentleman. . -•- •» -♦• • • --y To Mothers:—Should the baby be suffering with »ny of the disorders of baby hood use Dr, Bull’s Baby Syrup at olcj for’ the Price 33 cents. | | The Boston Journalcenmrts another paper for “ delicate inaccuracy.” - v