The Culture of Vegetables 



it produces plenty of top and no bottom, just as Lettuces similarly 

 treated produce flowering stems and no hearts. We will here pro- 

 pose a very simple and practical procedure for obtaining a nice crop 

 of Potatoes in the month of June, without any forcing or troublesome 

 arrangements whatever. This system fairly mastered, endless modi- 

 fications will be easily effected as circumstances and judgment may 

 suggest. 



Begin by selecting an early variety of the best quality. Some 

 time towards the end of January the sets are packed closely in 

 shallow boxes, one layer deep only, and these are placed in full day- 

 light safe from frost, but are not subjected to heat in any way. It 

 may be well to sprinkle them slightly with water now and then, but a 

 little of this goes a long way, and it is not absolutely necessary. 

 Having started the sets into growth in full daylight, proceed with the 

 preparation of the ground. This must be light, w r arm, dry and rather 

 rich without being rank. If a length of wall is available, and per- 

 plexity arises concerning suitable soil for the early Potatoes, seize all 

 the sandy loam that has been turned out of pots, and having mixed it 

 with as much leaf-mould and quite rotten manure as can be spared, 

 lay the mixture in a ridge at the foot of the wall, and thus prepare 

 for the earliest crop of Potatoes without the aid of frames. As walls 

 do not anywhere run in such lengths as to provide for all the early 

 Potatoes that are wanted, select a plot of ground lying warm and dry 

 to the sun, and having spread over it a liberal allowance of decayed 

 manure, and any light fertilising stuff, such as the red and black 

 residue from the burning of hedge clippings, turf, and weeds, dig this 

 in. The ground being ready, it is lined out in neat ridges two feet 

 apart, running north and south. These ridges must be shallow, 

 rising not more than six inches above the general level. On every 

 fourth ridge sow early Peas that are not likely to grow more than two 

 and a half to three feet in height. This being done in February, the 

 land is ready for Potatoes in the first week of March. Plant on the 

 fine stuff laid up next the wall in the first instance, and then on the 

 ridges, where there is room for three rows of Potatoes between every 

 two rows of Peas. In the process of planting, it will be advisable 

 to rub off all the weak eyes and thin out those on the crown, two 

 or three strong eyes being quite sufficient. This can easily be 

 accomplished as the sets are laid into their places in a shallow drill 

 opened on the top of the ridge. The sets may be put a foot apart, 

 and have four inches of fine soil over them. Prick the ground over 

 with a fork between the rows, leaving it quite rough, but regular and 



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