38 ALLOTMENT GAKDENS 



heel end of each tuber. The cut part of the tuber was 

 then dipped into powdered quicklime. 



Sets weighing over 2 oz. each, and with three or four 

 shoots, were cut lengthwise, the cut parts being simi- 

 larly treated to the above. 



The sets were laid carefully out in the trenches at an 

 angle of about 45 degrees, and one way. The distance 

 from set to set was approximately 16 inches, or 96 sets 

 from one pole of ground. 



They were then covered about 2 inches deep with soil 

 from the edges of the trenches, taken off in a slanting 

 manner and broken up into fine even particles, so as to 

 get a thoroughly aerated surface soil directly touching 

 the tuber to encourage its start. The trenches were 

 finally filled up and levelled off with the soil which was 

 left when the trenches were first dug. 



A dressing of superphosphate was then scattered over 

 the soil, a quantity of 2 oz. to the square yard, or 4 lb. 

 per square pole of ground. 



Nothing more was done till the plants were up in row, 

 which was in about three or four weeks' time. 



Manuring and hoeing. As soon as the plants were 

 up in row, advantage was taken of the first fine day 

 when the soil was fairly dry to flat-hoe between the 

 plants and between the rows. 



On the first showery day after the hoeing, a dressing 

 of equal quantities of sulphate of potash 1 and sulphate 

 of ammonia at the rate of 1 oz. to the square yard, or 

 2 lb. per square pole of ground. 



Care was taken not to sprinkle the manure on the 

 leaves. 



1 When sulphate of potash cannot be bought, wood ashes are a good 

 substitute. 



