44 Journal or the Department or Agriculture. — July, 1922. 



in the furrow where the trek animals cannot trample on them, or else 

 they are dropped in the furrow between the hind oxen and the 

 plougrh, or better still, from the seat of the plough between the second 

 and third share or disc of a three-furrow plough. 



" The ridg-e " system is recommended under irrigation and 

 where the crop is likely to experience a wet season. In the former 

 case ridging facilitates water-leading, and in the second it affords 

 drainage. 



On dry-lands the " flat " or level system will in most cases prove 

 lo be the most useful and profitable one, as it will assist in conserving 

 moisture. 



About 4 to 5 inches, depending on the nature of the soil whether 

 sandy or otherwise, is the correct depth to plant. The tubers should 

 he planted deep rather than shallow, so that the subsequent harrow- 

 ings which the crop is to receive, will not disturb them. 



The rows are generally made 3 feet apart, and the sets dropped 

 from 14 to 18 inches apart in the row. In the Bethal District the 

 roAvs are made from 3 to 3J feet apart, and the sets are placed on 

 an average 14 inches apart. In the Thabai, 'jSTchu-Ladybrand area, 

 the rows are made 3 feet apart, and the sets are dropped from 18 

 to 3G inches apart. Under irrigation at Petrusburg in the Faure- 

 smith District, where this crop is grown on an intensive system for 

 seed production, every furrow is planted, thus making the rows about 

 14 to 15 inches apaii, and the tubers are placed 12 to 15 inches apart 

 ill the row. 



Tlie time of planting varies with the locality. On the high veld 

 of the Transvaal the crop is put in from the 15th August to the end 

 of JN^ovember; in the eastern Orange Free State during jS^ovember and 

 December; while under irrigation in the Transvaal and Orange Free 

 State August and September is the time for the early crop, and again 

 from January to the beginning of February for the second crop. 



In the low veld districts of the Transvaal, e.g. Koedoes Rivier 

 and Barberton, where little or no frost is experienced, the crop is 

 l)lanted in June and July, so as to be ready for the early market in 

 October, when fresh potatoes always demand top prices. 



As potatoes will come up from three weeks to a month after they 

 have been planted, depending on how well they were sprouted, and 

 on the temperature of the soil, one could plant them for an early 

 crop so that they would come up just in time to escape the late frost, 

 the date of which each farmer should more or less know for his 

 locality. If there are any signs of frost with the potato crop above 

 ground, the ridging plougli should be ritn between the rows, and the 

 young plant lightly covered over with soil. Under irrigation with 

 the crop in a more advanced stage a thoroush irrigation on the day 

 before frost is expected will help it consideral)ly against damage from 

 that source. 



Cultivation. 



If the land is inclined to be weedy, it is necessary to harrow it 

 once or twice after the crop is planted, and before the latter comes 

 up. This operation may be repeated several times while the crop is 

 still young and unlikely to be injured. It should be done across and 



