88 THE POTATO. j 



machine, which is drawn by one horse. Very early pota- 

 toes are not often sprayed, as the operation retards 

 maturity, and the crop is usually got off the land before 

 disease becomes widely prevalent. This, however, is not 

 always the case, the early crop in 1904, particularly in 

 Jersey, being very badly diseased. Late crops should be 

 sprayed twice, the first time soon after the potatoes have 

 been earthed up, and the second time about three or four 

 weeks later. A dry day, when there are no signs of rain, 

 should be chosen for the work. Further information on 

 the potato disease and the remedies for its prevention will 

 be found in a separate chapter. 



CHAPTER X. 



CULTURE IN GARDENS. 



MOST people who have gardens of any size, or, failing 

 them, allotments, like to grow their own potatoes. This is 

 especially true of the earty and second early sorts, that 

 can be lifted as required from the garden. Home-grown 

 tubers taste ever so much sweeter and nicer than those 

 half-shrivelled, waxy things one gets from the Canary 

 Islands, or those only a trifle better that hail from the 

 Channel Islands and Cornwall, and which have been ex- 

 posed in the market or on the greengrocer's stall for days 

 before one gets them. To dig up one's own kidney pota- 

 toes fresh from the soil in June and July, when their skins 

 are tender and easily rub off, then cook and serve them 

 with melted butter, flavoured with mint, is, indeed, a 

 source of delight. We certainly think that all who can 



