The Culture of Vegetables 



been founded on sound principles, there might have been a vigorous 

 healthy growth. If a doubt arises, it is safer to allow too much 

 rather than too little space, and in this respect the exhibition 

 growers are very liberal. They often place the rows of strong-growing 

 varieties five feet apart, and allow a space of four feet for the more 

 moderate growers. Even then, with good land, in a high state of 

 preparation, the shaws sometimes meet across the rows, and enormous 

 crops are lifted. For a very comprehensive rule, it may be said that 

 the distance between the rows may vary from fifteen inches for the 

 early sorts of dwarf growth, to forty inches for the vigorous -growing 

 late sorts. Between these measurements, for varieties producing 

 medium haulm, a distance of twenty-six to thirty-six inches may be 

 allowed on good ground. The distance between the sets must in 

 like manner be determined by the growth, and will range from six 

 inches for crops to be dug early, to sixteen or twenty inches for the 

 robust kinds. The medium main-crop Potatoes will generally do 

 well at twelve inches apart, and pay better than at nine inches. 

 Much, however, depends on the season, for when great space is 

 allowed, and the season proves warm and showery, there will be more 

 large tubers than the grower will care for ; whereas, if planted some- 

 what closer, the crop would be smaller and more uniform in size. As 

 to the depth, that is determined after planting. A good average for 

 the final depth is six inches, but another inch may be allowed on 

 light soil. 



The next point that claims attention is the time of planting. 

 There has been much debate as to the advisability of planting in 

 autumn, and a great deal might be said about it here. But we cannot 

 afford space to treat of speculative matters, and we need only say that 

 there is almost complete concurrence among practical men in favour 

 of spring planting, the months of February, March, and April being 

 the most suitable. Good crops have been dug from plantings made 

 on Midsummer day, but such late planting is not to be thought of, 

 unless there are special reasons to justify it. Still, it is always well, 

 in practical matters, to know the limits of possibility ; and to put 

 the case very broadly, we may say that Potato planting may be 

 carried on as weather permits from the shortest day to the longest, 

 but for profitable work and average seasons, and the climates in 

 which the Potato usually prospers, the best time for planting is the 

 month of March. 



The planting being accouiplished, the cultivation will begin. It is 

 too much the practice to regard the summer cultivation as a matter 



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