The Kitchen Garden. Y5 



table — and, if we have plenty of seed, plant them whole. If 

 there be a deficiency of seed, or the price be very high, we 

 divide them longitudinally, making two sets of each potato, 

 and plant them with the eyes upward. They should be cut a 

 week before planting ; and it is a good plan to roll them in 

 ground plaster of Paris or old slaked lime. Something may be 

 gained in earliness by cutting the potato transversely in the 

 middle, and planting only the seed end, which should be set 

 upright in the ground. 



In garden culture, potatoes should generally be hoed at least 

 three times, to keep the weeds down, earthing them up a little 

 each time ; but if the ground be little infested with weeds, 

 twice will do. The first hoeing should be given soon after the 

 shoots appear above the surface of the ground. If they should 

 be partially covered with earth by the operation, no harm will 

 be done. Potatoes should never be hoed after the blossoms 

 appear. Pinching ofi" the flower-buds will considerably increase 

 the crop of tubers. 



Potatoes should not be harvested till the tops are mostly 

 dead. They should be exposed to the sun only long enough to 

 dry them for storage. Store in a dry cellar (when there is 

 danger from frost), and cover them with sand or straw. When 

 sprouts begin to grow, as they will toward spring, carefully 

 rub them off. Their growth will greatly iujure the quality of 

 the tuber for table use. Those intended for seed should be fre- 

 quently turned over to prevent premature growth. 



Of the potato rot^ as it is called, little can be profitably said. 

 Its cause and remedy are yet to be made known. As pre^ 

 ventives, a dry soil, the use of lime and ashes, the absence 

 of fresh stable manure, early planting, and new, healthy varie- 

 ties are recommended. For arresting the disease, cutting off 

 the tops on the first appearance of the blight is sometimes 

 eflfectual. 



Potatoes for an early crop are planted in this country from 

 the first of January to the first of May, according to the cli- 

 mate and season. In the latitude of New York they may in 



