5o THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



these in some seasons cause scab and other disease. 

 I have seen much better results in old garden land 

 by omitting animal manures for a season, giving a 

 thorough dressing of lime, and using some approved 

 artificial food. The land often lacks lime, and such 

 aids as burnt refuse or road scrapings from lime- 

 stone roads are very beneficial. As regards varieties, 

 I place Windsor Castle in the front rank. It is 

 one of the best flavoured main crop potatoes grown, 

 is good in most soils, turns in early, and keeps 

 well. Other kinds are the Snowball (Carter's), Button's 

 Supreme, Satisfaction, and the Canon. There are many 

 others, but those noted are among the cream of this 

 section. 



Late Varieties. These need more care in selection, 

 as the season they are required to supply dates from 

 October or November to June of the following year. 

 The mid-season varieties will give a supply till the 

 New Year, and, if possible, this should be arranged, 

 as then the late ones will fill in the other portion with 

 less difficulty. Even late potatoes are not very palat- 

 able in June, but a great deal depends upon the way 

 they are stored, on the variety, and on other details 

 such as cooking and preparation. There can be no 

 question whatever but that many late potatoes are ruined 

 during the winter months by being kept too warm or 

 allowed to grow out too much. Far better clamp the 

 tubers in the open than store in a warm shed or cellar, 

 for the latter soon affects the flavour of the tubers. 

 Another point of importance is to have fresh seed 

 whenever it can be procured. Though at the start 

 it adds to the cost, it well repays at the finish by the 

 greater weight of crop and the superior quality. No 

 crop that shows disease badly should be retained for 

 seed. It is as well to have a plot of land specially retained 

 for seed purposes, if at a distance so much the better. 



