THE POTATO. 47 



"With regard to the quantity of seed per acre great diver- 

 sity of opinion exists among cultivators. Much, of course, 

 depends on the variety, as some sorts not only have more 

 numerous eyes, but more luxuriant and stronger plants than 

 others. Of such varieties a much less quantity will be re- 

 quired than of those of an opposite character. From a 

 series of experiments carefully made for the purpose of as- 

 certaining the amount of seed most profitable for an acre, it 

 was found that from six to eight bushels, if planted in hills, 

 answered better than more ; for, when too much seed was 

 used, there were many small tubers ; and where the tubers 

 had been divided into very small parts, or single eyes, the 

 plants were more feeble, and the yield less in number and 

 weight, though usually of larger size. 



Methods of Planting and Cultivation. Potatoes are usually 

 planted either in hills or ridges, the former method being 

 the more common in this country. If planted in hills, they 

 should be made from three feet to three and a half apart ; 

 the distance to be regulated by the habit of the variety under 

 cultivation. If in ridges or drills, they may be made from 

 two and a half to three feet apart ; although some of the 

 earlier and smaller kinds may be successfully grown at 

 eighteen or twenty inches. 



Of sets formed by dividing a tuber of medium size into 

 four parts, three may be allowed to a hill ; if planted in 

 drills, sets of this size should be placed about ten inches 

 apart. On light, warm soil they require to be covered 

 nearly four inches deep ; but in cold, wet situations, two and 

 a half or three inches will be sufficient. 



Cultivation. This should be commenced as soon as the 

 young shoots are fairly above the surface. As the season 

 advances, gather the earth gradually about the hills or along 

 the drills, adding a little at each successive hoeing for the 

 support of the growing plants, and to encourage the develop- 



