100 THE POTATO. 



the rows and the " sets." Lightly fork over the surface 

 this time, breaking it down as finely as possible. Good 

 trenches should be taken out with a spade, the width of 

 this tool and from a foot to fifteen inches in depth, which 

 should be half filled with the mixture already prepared. 

 By this date the selected tubers, ijf they have been pro- 

 perly treated, will have produced gjput, sturdy shoots. All 

 the weaker ones should be rubbed or cut out, retaining 

 two or three of the strongest only. These should be care- 

 fully placed in the trenches -at a distance of 24 inches 

 apart, after which fill up the remainder of the trench with 

 the same kind of mixture, over which should be placed a 

 little of the finest soil which has been excavated. Rake 

 over neatly and make a mark in the way of a small drill 

 down the centre of the row. Allow a distance of at least 

 3ft. Gin. between the rows, and proceed with the work in 

 the same manner. 



Subsequent Culture. Should late spring frosts be 

 imminent, means of some kind must be taken to protect 

 the young growth, as seldom ; if ever, when the tops be- 

 come crippled, do satisfactory results follow. Ply the hoe 

 frequently after the growth can be seen, to keep 

 down weeds and aerate and pulverise the soil. When the 

 growths are about 4in. in height, any small weak ones 

 should be drawn out, which is easily accomplished, and 

 the plants moulded in the ordinary way. Slight applica- 

 tions of soot should be applied during the growing season. 

 When the growth has reached a height of about one foot 

 means should be taken to keep it in an upright position, 

 as by so doing both sun and air, which are so essential, 

 can reach the soil uninterrupted. This is easily accom- 

 plished by driving in fairly stout stakes at regular intervals 

 along each side of the row, to which should be stretched 

 two or three lines of fairly stout tarred cord, after which 

 the tops will require no other attention till the crop is 

 lifted; and here, let us say, this precaution is frequently 

 deferred too long. 



