R.C. Whitener of Burke County Recommends Potatoes and Rye in Apple Orchards, 1905

From Progressive Farmer and Cotton Plant, January 3, 1905

Seeing Mr. Archer’s article on Irish potatoes in The Progressive Farmer of December 6^th, I will tell the boys how I plant and cultivate—or rather avoid cultivation.

First I hear many saying what to raise in the young apple orchard. I raise yam potatoes the first five or six years in a young orchard, planting from three to 5 rows between each row of trees, according to the size of trees and distance between rows.

And this brings me back to the Irish potato subject. Irish potatoes will pay better in the orchard after six years than yams, in different ways. I plant about four rows or more, according to the distance of apple rows. Open furrows well; then cut potatoes so as to get two or three eyes in each piece; drop 16 inches apart. Then strew on about three inches of half rotted manure—hog lot manure, if to be had, made by keeping plenty of leaves and woods litter for hogs. Cover with any small plow two or four furrows. Now haul pine straw and leaves and cover the land well all over, apple rows and all.

Now the planting and cultivation is done except to pull a few weeds from time to time that may make their way through the leaves, and you may expect to have plenty of potatoes, wet or dry season.

As the Irish potato makes itself early, it doesn’t affect the orchard much, and the application of leaves does more to restore the virgin soil than anything I have tried; and that is what your apple trees need.

Irish potatoes should be planted as soon as possible, according to climate.

Now when potatoes are dry, say September, sow rye and you will have an early crop of green feed for next spring, which can be cut off in time for potatoes again. The rye is good for the trees and to keep land from washing through winter; also good for the hens to work on if near the dwelling house or barn.

I should have said in connection with raising yam potatoes, I use all the ashes I can get for the yam crop, which may be bought from a nearby furnace where much wood is burnt for steam power. Ashes are also good for the orchard.

            --R.C. Whitener, Burke County, N.C.