Potato 



planting many sorts where in any other case a few would suffice. 

 Here, then, on the best plan, we begin with sets most carefully selected, 

 to insure true typical form and colour, and these are, some six weeks 

 or so before planting time, put in shallow boxes or baskets, one layer 

 deep, to sprout in full daylight, but quite safe from frost. In the first 

 instance a. number of sprouts appear, and a large proportion are 

 rubbed off. The object of the cultivator is to secure one or two 

 stout, short shoots of a green or purple colour ; the long white threads 

 that are often produced in the store being regarded as useless. When 

 large sets are employed, they are allowed to make three or four stout 

 shoots, and at the time of planting not before these sets are cut 

 so as to leave to each large piece only one or two good sprouts or 

 sprits. As for the smaller sets that are not to be divided, it is the 

 rule to cut a small piece off each of these at the time of planting to 

 facilitate the decay of the tuber when it has accomplished its work, 

 for having nourished the first growth the sooner it disappears the 

 better. Thus, with a little extra trouble, we have got ready for 

 planting, and the main reasons for taking. this extra trouble are 

 doubtless fully apparent. According to a good old rule, we want the 

 best seed possible, and the best soil possible, these two items form- 

 ing the first chapter. By sprouting the seed we gain time, which is 

 equivalent to a lengthening of the season. By limiting the number 

 of shoots an excess of foliage is prevented. Where the shoots are 

 crowded the tubers will not be crowded,' a few strong shaws with all 

 their leaves exposed to the air and light being capable of producing 

 better results than a large number contending for air and light that 

 are insufficient for them all. And finally, by cutting the sets, whether 

 to divide them, or simply to hasten their decay, we insure that they 

 will not reappear with the young crop as useless, ugly things. 



The distance at which the sets are planted is of importance, for 

 a crop too much crowded will be positively worthless. But we must 

 fill the ground as closely as we dare. By wasting only a minute space 

 in each breadth, or in the spaces between the sets, the total crop 

 will be many bushels short of the possible quantity. The guiding 

 principle must be to allow to every separate plant ample room to 

 spread, and absorb the air. and sunshine, in accordance with the 

 character of the sort and the condition of the soil. A considerable 

 proportion of the losses from disease may be traced to overcrowding in 

 the first instance; the tangled haulm being rendered weak through want 

 of air, and then becoming loaded with water, and in contact with 

 wet ground, the disease has made havoc where, had the management 



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