214 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



seed-pieces for medium crop about May 1, or when heavy 

 frosts are over. For late crop, set seed-pieces the first 

 week in June. 



Transplanting. In setting out Potatoes which 

 have already sprouted, be careful not to break the 

 sprouts. 



Culture. Cultivate once or twice before the Pota- 

 toes break ground, to kill the weeds and preserve the 

 mulch. After the plants are up, in case of frost cover 

 them with straw or earth at night. Make every effort 

 to preserve soil-moisture. Cultivate after rains, and 

 keep the soil in good condition, until the plants cover 

 the ground. The early cultivations may be deep, but 

 when once the plants are growing well cultivation 

 should be shallow, on account of the surface-feeding 

 roots. For the same reason it is not advisable to hill 

 up the plants, unless the loam was so thin that shallow 

 planting was necessary, or unless the plants are of an 

 early variety which forms its tubers near the surface. 

 In these cases hilling may save the Potatoes from sun- 

 scald, but moisture will be wasted and the upper roots 

 will be injured. To keep the soil in good condition 

 from five to ten cultivations will be necessary, according 

 to conditions. 



Mulching with hay or manure is possible in garden 

 practice, to increase the yield and save labor. Apply 

 when the plants are growing well. 



Fertilizer. As above stated, fertilizer should be 



