148 



very shallow, as four or five inches is generally considered sufficiently 

 deep for depositing the tubers. Excessive earthing up should be avoid- 

 ed. When potatoes are planted in drills the cuttings or sets are placed 

 from six to ten inches apart. 



Mr. Falkner, the author of "British Husbandry " says, "when potatoes 

 are cultivated upon a large scale, the operation is veiy similar to that de- 

 scribed in sowing turnips, in which the trenches may be made either at one 

 operation of a double-breasted plow, or by a single plow, by what is called 

 "a bout," or going and returning ; the dung is then carted and spread in 

 the trenches, and the potato-sets afterwards thrust through it, so as to 

 rest upon the ground, by which means it is less likely to be disturbed 

 in the operation of covering, which should be done by the hand-hoe. 

 We must, however, admit that there is much diflference of opinion as to 

 the best mode of putting in the manure for potato crops ; for although 

 long stable dung, in a fresh state, is very generally used, and most gen- 

 erally in drills, some put it %inder and other over the sets." 



In our own country, the method of planting the potato in kills about 

 three, or threea-nd-a-half feet apart is almost universal. It is emi- 

 nently American, and perhaps better adapted to the climate than any 

 other system that could be introduced. During our warm summers 

 the roots of the plants are better protected from drought than they 

 could possibly be by the so called improved drill system. "Hill- 

 ing" is well "calculated for the meridian" of a new, country; be- 

 sides the produce will be as abundant, or nearly so, by this system as by 

 any other. Every system will have its advocates, but by whichever ^^ay 

 the potato is planted, it is of the fii-st importance that the land should 

 be thoroughly prepared, especially if old, and freed as much as possible 

 from noxious weeds and roots. 



In preparing the soil, a first plowing, as deep as possible, should be 

 made in Autumn, in order that the land, especially if stiff, may have 

 the advantage of the Winter's frost. By this plan, not only are tena- 

 cious soils pulverized, but destructive grubs destroyed, and the roots of 

 troublesome weeds eradicated. Winter-falloiving, if the expression 

 may be allowed, is better than bare Summer-fallowing. A thorough 

 pulveiization of the soil is indispensible to the successful rearing of the 

 potato ; therefore, a second plowing and harrowing in the Spring pre- 

 vious to the time of planting, (which should immediately follow,) will 



