284 SCHOOL AND HOME GAKDENS 



any given section must be learned by consulting gar- 

 deners or farmers, and is largely determined by the 

 nature of the soil. 



Soil. Potatoes require a deep, rich, light soil well 

 supplied with humus. There must be good tilth, so that 

 the soil will hold moisture. Heavy, low soil is usually 

 too wet, although the late varieties will grow on heavier 

 soil than the early ones. The subsoil must be loose, to 



FIG. 153. Potato Cuttings. (One-half natural size) 

 The white lines show where the tubers should be cut 



give the roots an opportunity to reach down for mois- 

 ture. Fresh sod land well harrowed, and newly cleared 

 timber land containing leaf mold, are excellent for 

 potatoes. 



Fertilizer. Do not use fresh stable manure. For early 

 potatoes plow under a heavy dressing the previous 

 season, or turn under a load of green manure in the 

 fall. For late potatoes the soil may be given a coating 

 of well-decayed manure or compost early in the spring. 

 A mixed fertilizer, worked into the rows at the rate 



