CULTURE IN GARDENS. 91 



the shuws appeal 1 above the ground protect with a little 

 dry litter laid on at night only. Use the hoe or fork freely 

 between the rows a little later, and as soon as the shaws 

 get fairly strong mould up the rows. Lifting for use as 

 required may begin in June, and the remainder of the crop 

 as soon as the haulm begins to turn yellow and the skin on 

 the tubers becomes " set " or firm. 



Second Early Crops. The second early varieties 

 should bo planted from the middle to the end of March, 

 the earlier period being best on light, warm soils, and the 

 latter on those of a less genial nature. Here, again, the 

 soil should be properly prepared and manured in accor- 

 dance with the advice given in Chapters IV. and V. The 

 drills on the lighter soils may be four inches, and en the 

 heavier ones three inches deep, and they should run north 

 and south. Do not be in too great a hurry to plant if the 

 soil is at all wet and pasty; better by far wait a week, even, 

 and plant when the soil will w r ork pleasantly. Due con- 

 sideration, too, must be paid to the habit of growth of the 

 variety, giving those that are of robust growth plenty of 

 width between the drills. In the event of frosty weather 

 supervening when the shoots are pushing through, draw a 

 little fine mould over them from time to time as a pro- 

 tection. In fine weather stir the mould between the rows. 

 This operation will be of immense benefit to the crops, 

 checking the growth of weeds and aerating and ameliorat- 

 ing the soil. As soon as the shoots are the requisite height 

 mould up the rows, and then there will be nothing more to 

 see to till the lifting time occurs when the haulm turns 

 yellow and the skin has set on the tubers. 



Main Crops. The best time to plant maincrop pota- 

 toes is from the end of March to the middle of April. As 

 this is the chief crop, special pains ought to be taken to 

 get the land in really good condition the previous autumn 

 or winter. The importance of this subject has been fully 

 discussed in Chapter IV., and we strongly counsel the 



