ROOTS. 143 



ishes by long keeping. It is important in this as in an infi- 

 nite number of other practical matters in the economy of 

 agriculture, to have agricultural laboratories of unquestiona- 

 ble reliability, where the errors of superficial observation may 

 be detected, and where the real superiority of one product 

 over another, and their variations induced by soils, manures 

 and treatment may be established beyond the possibility of a 

 doubt. 



PLANTING. To produce abundantly, potatoes require a fer- 

 tile soil, and if not already sufficiently rich, manure should 

 be spread on the surface before plowing. If a tough sod, it 

 should be plowed the preceding fall, or if friable, it may be 

 done just before planting ; but in all cases the land should be 

 put in such condition as to be perfectly loose and mellow. 

 Hills are the most convenient for tillage, as they admit of 

 more thorough stirring of the ground \vith the cultivator or 

 plow. Medium size, uncut potatoes have been ascertained 

 from numerous experiments to be the best for planting, but 

 when seed is scarce, it is sometimes economical to divide 

 them. Two potatoes should be placed in each hill, or if in 

 drills, they should be planted singly 10 inches apart. The 

 distance both of hills and drills must depend on the strength 

 of the soil and the size of the tops, some varieties growing 

 much larger than others. Cover with light mold to the depth 

 of 4 or 6 inches, and if the soil be light leave the ground 

 perfectly level ; if cold, heavy or moist, let the hill be raised 

 when finished. Subsoil plowing is a great help to potatoes. 

 The sets cut from the seed-end give a much earlier crop than 

 those from the root. 



CULTIVATION. When the plants first appear above the 

 ground, run the plow through them and throw the earth over 

 them 2 or 3 inches, and no injury results if the tops are par- 

 tially or even entirely covered. The hoe is scarcely required 

 except to destroy such weeds as may have escaped the 

 plow. The ground should be several times stirred before the- 

 tops interfere with the operation, but n ever after they come 

 into blossom. Enormous crops have b oen procured by top 

 dressing with compost earth, well rotteu chip manure, &c. 

 soon after the plants make their appcarant* ; this is carried to 

 the field and spread from a light one horsr cart, the wheels 

 passing between the rows; but such results are due to the 

 nicest cultivation and they would be equally attained by plac- 

 ing the land in the best condition before planting. There is. 



