16 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



keeping up the supply when Potatoes are required very early. The 

 stemless or pitting system, by which young tubers are produced very 

 early, is sometimes practised, although the produce obtained in this 

 way has little to recommend it beyond its earliness, and, perhaps, 

 novelty. By selecting a quantity of the largest of last season's pro- 

 duce, keeping them in a cool place, rubbing off every signs of sprout- 

 ing at frequent intervals, and thus preventing their ever making a 

 growth, the stored-up elements of the tubers are not expended, and all 

 that is then necessary is to place them in circumstances which will 

 cause the energies of the parent tuber to be expended in producing 

 new ones, without making any tops at all. This is effected by taking 

 them in September, and mixing them up among finely-sifted and rather 

 dry soil, in the corner of some dark shed or cellar. A layer of the soil, 

 about 4 inches deep, is first placed on the floor, then a layer of the 

 tubers about 2 inches apart, then another layer of soil and Potatoes 

 alternately, till the desired quantity is so pitted. Under these con- 

 ditions, young tubers are formed from the eyes of the old ones, and 

 may be sent to table at the New Year. This is, however, a method 

 which is seldom practised, which does certainly produce young 

 Potatoes, and that is about all that can be said in its favour. 



The practice generally pursued is, to select a quantity of the finest 

 of the earliest-ripened sets at the end of the year, which, even in a cool 

 place, will then be starting into growth. These are potted singly into 

 small pots, rubbing off all the buds except the earliest and strongest 

 terminal one, and are then placed in a pit or any other structure where 

 they can have a temperature of 55° and a slight bottom-heat. Here 

 they soon start into growth, and when 3 or 4 inches high, they are 

 shifted into 8-inch pots, in which they mature their crop. The soil 

 used should be free, and water should be supplied moderately, or the 

 tendency will be towards a drawn and sickly growth. As the tubers 

 become fit for table they should be kept dry, otherwise they will be 

 watery and insipid. In this way an early crop or two come in early 

 before those in pits and frames are ready. 



For moderately early crops, the best way is to grow them in pits 

 which have hot-water pipes which can supply top-heat, and 2 or 3 feet 

 of leaves for bottom-heat. When grown in this way, a portion of the 

 space at command is prepared in the end of December, or early in 

 January, to receive a planting previously started in small pots in some 

 of the forcing-houses or pits. They should be planted out when 2 or 

 3 inches high. To succeed these another lot should be planted at the 

 same time, which have commenced to spring on the shelves of a store- 

 room. In all these cases none of the buds should be allowed to grow, 

 except the earliest and strongest terminal bud. And Potatoes, especially 



