HISTORY OF THE POTATO. H 



last month, or early in July, it may be propagated by 

 layers, which are formed by pegging down the young 

 stalks, when about twelve inches long, they being covered 

 three inches thick with mould at a joint." 



In Holland's " Agricultural Survey of Cheshire " refer- 

 ence is made to the system adopted in that county of grow- 

 ing early crops of potatoes. Says the author: " These [the 

 ' sets '] should be prepared in November, by removing 







SECOND EARLY KIDNEY POTATO BRITISH QUEEN. 



every eye but one or two; and being placed in a layer, in 

 a warm room, where air and light can be freely admitted, 

 with a covering of chaff or sand, they soon emit shoots, 

 which must be strengthened by exposure to the light and 

 air as much as possible, by taking off the covering without 

 injuring them. The leaves soon become green and toler- 

 ably hardy. In early spring they are planted out, the 



