104 



Whether planted on the level land or in shallow trench* s the smaller 

 kinds must be planted about 12 inches upart from each other in the 

 row, and the rows to be about 20 inches apart. 



The larger kind must be planted about 15 in. apart from each other 

 in the row, and the rows of this larger kind to be about 30 inches 

 apart from row to row. 



The seed jotato must be put in the ground about six inches below 

 the surface of the surroutidiug ground. If the ground has been tho- 

 roughly cultivated as recommended, a liole can be made in the ground 

 with a cutlass or a digging bill. 



As soon as the growth of t e potato begins to show itself, the 

 ground should be kept frequently hoed and kept free from weeds, and 

 as the plant continues to grow the soil sh 'uld be drawn or moulded 

 up a little at a time. The object of this moulding up is to keep the 

 young tubers covered with soil so as to prevent them getting burnt 

 by the sun. If care is taken to get good, fresh, healthy tubers when 

 planting, to thoioughly cultivate the ground before the potato is 

 planted, to keep tiie surface of the ground frequently hoed and just 

 enough moulding of soil on the roots, there is not any reason why 

 good returns should not be obtained. The new crop of potatoes should 

 be ripe as soon as the tops begin to die down. 



Great care must be taken when planting not to use potatoes for seed 

 grown on the satne ground but to get potatoes that have been grown 

 in other districts, or imported ones. This change of seed is not only 

 most important for potatoes, but for tomatoes and all vegeables. 



AGRICULTURAL NOTES FOR SCHOOL 



TEACHERS. 



By W. Cradwick, W. Harris, T J. Harris. 



Tillage. 



No plant can thrive in hard soil, and knov\ing this we can 

 easily understand how very important it is that every cultivator 

 should 1 arn to dig. By digging and forking the soil is kept soft and 

 loose so that th' roots of the plants can easily gruw in all directions, 

 the better the roots grow, the better the p'ants will thrive. 



In digging the soil should be turned over, that is, the surface soil 

 which has been exposed to the light and air, and has been made rich 

 by decaying leaves and dead weeds should be turned down underneath 

 where it w'll keep moist an i nourish the little roots of the plants. If 

 the top soil is turned down then the bottom soil is brought up to the 

 surface where it is made richer by exposure to 'he atmosphere and by 

 the addition of dead leaves and weeds, and at next digging or forking 

 this is in turn buried beneath to feed the tender roots of the plants. 



The fork is the better implement for hard ground, and the t>pade 

 for skilled work in cultivated ground. The linpr the soil is broken 

 Ui) in diggiuL^ the more moisture will it hold. The land should always 

 be thoroughly broken up by plough, fork or spa ^e before planting any 

 crop. Remember that if we thoroughly till the land the plant will 

 take care of itself in so far as its growth is concerned. 



