SOWING AMD PLANTING 37 



shoots each. Most of these tubers were cut at plant- 

 ing time. 



Preparation of the heavy ground. The potatoes were 

 planted on ground which was previously deeply culti- 

 vated for root crops. As soon as the crops were lifted, 

 which was in September, the ground was rough dug to 

 a good depth, and then 14 lb. of powdered quicklime 

 was scattered over the surface. 



In the following February and March, when the ground 

 was not too wet, it was again turned over. 



A trench was taken out one spit deep ; the second 

 spit was turned over and well broken up, but kept at 

 the bottom of the trench. Nothing more was done to 

 the ground till planting time. 



Manuring and planting. The planting of the pota- 

 toes was done from the beginning to the end of April. 



On a fine day, when the soil was fairly dry, the rows 

 were measured off at 2 feet apart (from left to right) and 

 sticks placed at the ends of the rows. 



Beginning with the first row a line was stretched from 

 one end to the other and a trench one spit deep (about 

 10 inches) was dug out. Into the trench was put J cwt. 

 of half-rotted stable manure with a quantity of decayed 

 vegetable refuse and the ashes of burnt garden refuse. 

 This was thoroughly mixed (using a fork) with some of 

 the soil of the second spit and some of the surface soil 

 which was thrown out in the making of the trench. 

 After thoroughly mixing, the compost was spread 

 evenly in the bottom of the trench, which was now 

 about 6 inches deep and ready for the seed tubers. 



The tubers were carefully examined before they were 

 planted ; those weighing from 1 to 2 oz. and with not 

 more than two shoots, had a small piece cut from the 



