]74 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Mar., 19 ii.. 



end of April or beginning of May. The trays may be stacked on top- 

 of each other at that stage, and when the buds have started they should 

 be placed in the racks to allow the light to green and toughen the sprouts. 

 Sprouting depends much upon the weather. If it is cold and back- 

 ward, and the buds are not showing, the seed required for early planting 

 may be covered with a little straw, or old bags may be used to exclude- 

 the light. When sprouts are produced in this way the seed must be ex- 

 posed to the light for a week or two to harden them off before planting, 

 but for potatoes trayed in May it will seldom be necessary to resort tO" 

 these means. The tubers handle best when the sprouts are about i inch 

 to 1 1 inches long. 



The Best Varieties for Sprouting. 



All varieties of potatoes are not equally suitable for fraying. In- 

 some sorts the sprouts do not take hold of tl^e tubers, consequently they 

 break off easily when handling. The following varieties have given.' 



SPROUTING SHED FRONT ELEVATION. 



satisfaction — Carman, Up-to-date. Green Mountain, Sutton's Abundance^ 

 Beauty of Hebron, Early Rose, and Bismarck ; tht first four being the- 

 most satisfactory. 



Potato Sprouting Shed- 



Select the most convenient position for shed : if it be possible to hav^- 

 the back of shed against a high paling fence, this may form the back 

 wall of shed. Mark on the ground two parallel lines 5 ft. 7 in. apart, 

 to represent back and front of shed ; sink four holes i ft. 6 in. deen- 

 and 3 ft. 10 in. centre to centre on each line exactly opposite one another. 

 The holes should be only large enough to enable the earth to be well 

 rammed round the 4 in. x 3 in. posts. Erect the four 8-ft. lengths of 

 4 in. X 3 in. jarrah on the line representing the back shed, and well ram 

 the earth round them. Great care must be taken to keep posts perfectly 

 plumb and square. Similarly erect the four 7 ft. 6 in. lengths of 4 in. 

 X 3 in. jarrah on the front line. 



On the insides of the posts at each end nail seven 5 ft. 11 in. lengths- 

 of 3 in. X I in. hardwood, the top of lowest one being 6 in. above the- 



