THE PLANT WORLD UNDER CARE 



-'47 



mellow surface a foot apart each way. 

 Cover with straw so that when it is 

 thoroughly tramped down it will be 

 twelve inches deep. Nothing remains 

 to be done except to keep any stray 

 weeds pulled until digging time. Some 

 of the disadvantages he notes are that 

 unless planted early they do not get up 

 in time to mature and if the season is 

 very wet they may rot. This method 

 results best in a dry season providing 

 the tops cover the ground well before 

 drought commences. "Tubers always 

 grow symmetrical, smooth and clean." 

 he declares, "and all things being equal, 

 they far outyield ordinary culture." 



Another grower, S. W. Jones, Pike 

 County, Ohio, states that growing po- 

 tatoes between earth and straw is an 

 ideal way to feed moles, ground mice 

 and rats. His method is unique and 

 seems to overcome most of the draw- 

 backs previously mentioned, though it 

 involves a little more labor. 



"Plant in the usual way in a shallow 

 furrow so that when potatoes are cov- 

 ered the ground will be level, or better 

 still leave a small ridge to mark the 

 row. When the potatoes come up 

 and are six inches or more high plow 

 and with a hoe draw the earth to the 

 plants, almost covering them and mak- 

 ing a good high ridge, having a deep 

 furrow between the rows. Fill this 

 furrow with straw. Any kind will do, 

 either dry or half rotted. Be sure to 

 leave just enough dirt showing so you 

 can see it along the rows between the 

 hills. After you get one good soaking 

 rain the potatoes will never suffer for 

 lack of moisture. Tn a wet season the 

 ridge is very necessary to keep them 

 from getting their feet too wet. Tn 

 this way the potatoes grow in the 

 ground instead of next the wet straw 

 and the quality is much better. Sev- 

 eral trials of mulching part this way 

 and planting part without straw have 

 shown a difference of one-hundred per 

 cent or more in favor of the part mul- 

 ched, the difference all being in the 

 size of the potatoes and not in the 

 number. This method is original with 

 me. I have never seen it tried by 

 others, excepting a few to whom T 

 have recommended it and these have 

 been well pleased by it. Re sure not 

 to plant too early and be sure not to 

 omit either the straw or the ridg'e. Yon 



are then ready for any kind of a season 



that comes along". 



AN INCLUSION OF GRASS IN A POTATO. 



A Potato Pierced by a Glass Blade. 

 Port Chester, N .Y. 

 To the Editor : 



A short time ago, I read an interest- 

 ing article in The Guide to Nature 

 in regard to inclusions in potatoes. 

 Last week one of my students brought 

 me the specimen that I send you of a 

 potato penetrated by a blade of grass. 

 This may not be uncommon but I had 

 never previously seen anything of the 

 kind. As we are all much interested 

 in it I thought it might possibly be 

 of interest to other readers. 

 Very truly. 

 Catherine L. MonagalE. 



Winter Buds. 



What unsuspected beauties line the way, 

 As for our winter walk we brave the cold f 

 At first, grave topics our attention hold, 



But soon the subtle influence of the day, 



Doth lead us from our subjects far astray, 

 And we, with broadening vision, now be- 

 hold 

 Those beauties, ever new and ever old. 



That, with the changing year, so briefly 

 stay. 



The winter buds, what could more perfect 



be! 

 They light the dark, stern branches of the 



tree 

 With tips of ruddy brown, of bronze, of 



green, 

 Or roseate hue, where shy moosewood is 



seen; 

 And opening;, they hint anew the key 

 Of life's impenetrable mystery. 



— Emma Peirce. 



