192 Agricultural Gazette of N.SJF 



\Mar. 2, 1908. 



that is, free from disease; the eyes sliould not be too deep, but large iiiid well 

 defined for all that, especially for seed. Ijai-ye eyes bear large shoots. AH 

 stnggy sorts, and with excrescences of all kinds, are not good when mature. 

 The tubers when cut and then put together should adhere closely, showing a 

 lai-ge percentage of starch. When ripe the skin is tinn and not easily 

 rul)})efl oil'. 



Plaatiny. — The set — that is, tuber or portion of tuber planted — should in 

 no case be less than 2 oz. in weight, with at least two eyes. The weight is of 

 much consequence, more so than the luunber of eyes, providing there are at 

 least two. Tf cut before planting, ruli nil' Kmg and weakly shoots. Potatoes 

 sprouted in sunlight pi'oduce N'igoi'ous plants, and nia\' br sdwn just as tlicv 

 are, the slioots to be placi'd in an upi-ight direction — the very best crops lia\e 



.&!t- 



Northern star. Niihiral size. 



been pro(hu-cd in ibis way, and tlifv niatui-c cai'lici : but tabei's sprouted in 

 the dark often produce long and weakly shoots, and if planted, these must be 

 rubbed ofT. AVliere the potatoes are cut, in order to prevent much bleeding, 

 ashes, slacked lime, or soot may be used. >\'hole potatoes of good size are 

 recommended when procurable; cut potatoes are more liable to rot in dry soil. 

 Cut tuljers lengthwise when con\'enient. The drills or furiows where sets 

 are to be planted slnndd be from "_' feet 11 inches to ."5 feet apart, and the sets 

 placed in theiu from III inches to I") inches. A good plan is to run a harrow- 

 over the soil just liefcjre thev should a]ipear ai)0ve the ground, to destroy 

 young growths of weeds. 



