227 



varies somewhat, but 4 to 5 inches in heavy, and 5 to 6 inches in 

 light soils are about the proper depths. 



Subsequent culture. — This consists in keeping the ground free 

 from weeds, earthing up the plants as they advance in growth, and 

 keeping the soil stirred and fine, as the more it is pulverised, the 

 better, but taking care not to injure the young roots or tubers. 



Lifting. When the tops are observed to wither from natural 



decay the crop may be lifted, and this should not be delayed too 

 long, as if so, in this climate the new tubers are apt to vegetate. 

 Choose fine, but if possible cloudy weather as potatoes should be 

 exposed to light, and specially bright sunshine as little as possible. 

 Exposure to the sun causes the tubers to turn green, and it is well 

 known that the green parts of a potato contain a more or less 

 poisonous principle. After lifting, the potatoes should be stored 

 in a dry airy room or shed, but light should be excluded as much 

 as possible. Potatoes are too often exposed to the light, and when 

 such are cooked they are yellow in appearance and have a 

 decided bitterish flavour, whereas if kept in the dark till required 

 for cooking they would be white and floury. 



Varieties. — The varieties of the Potato are exceedingly numerous, 

 but the kinds to be grown for shipping during the winter months 

 are those known as '' new potatoes" — the various kinds of Kidney 

 potato — Carter's First Crop. A re-selected stock of the earliest, 

 most prolific and best Kidney in cultivation. Price 5/ per peck 

 (14 lbs), per i cwt. or bushel 17/6. 



Carter's Improved Early Ashleaf. — The first early White Kidney 

 Price 4/6 per peck (14 lbs), per i cwt. or bushel 14/. 



Hyatt's Early Prolific Ashleaf. — This is the variety so largely 

 grown in Cornwall and Jersey as an early Potato for the English 

 markets, and it is probably the most certain early-cropping Kidney 

 in commerce. Price 2/6 per peck (14 lbs), per i cwt. or bushel 

 8/6. 



Victor (Sharpe). Several seasons' trial have fully confirmed all 

 that has been said of the Victor Kidney Potato. It is proved to be 

 one of the earliest, most prolific, and best flavoured of all early 

 potatoes. Price 3/6 per peck (14 lbs), per i cwt., or bushel 12/. 



Snowdrop. — Of sterling merit, both as to quality and produc- 

 tiveness. One of the handsomest Kidneys grown. Price 3 per 

 peck (14 lbs), per i cwt. or bushel, 10/6. 



Early Norther. — This variety seems to do well everywhere. Its 

 table qualities cannot be excelled, cooking dry and floury, whether 

 baked or boiled. Price 70 cents per peck, $2.25 per bushel. 



PUMPKINS. 



Plant at same time as Squash, in hills 8 feet apart each way, 

 and only allow one plant to each hill. 



Varieties. — Calhoun, Winter Lu.xury, Yellow Cashaw, Jonathan, Large 

 Cheese. 



Price of seed. — American, 5 to 10 cents per packet. 



