43 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



ment of the side-roots ; for it is at the extremities of these 

 that the tubers are formed. After the appearance of the 

 blossoms cultivation should be discontinued, and no further 

 attention will be required till the time for harvesting. 



Forcing. This should be commenced from three to four 

 weeks before the season for planting in the open ground. 

 The earliest varieties should be chosen for the purpose, se- 

 lecting whole tubers of medium size, and placing them close 

 together, in a single layer, among half-decayed leaves or very 

 light loam, on the surface of a moderate hot-bed. 



In a few weeks the eyes will have started sufficiently for 

 planting out. Divide the tubers into sets as before directed, 

 being careful not to break or injure the young shoots, 

 set them in hills or drills, and cover three inches deep. A 

 light application of horse-manure at the bottom of the hills 

 or drills will afford the warmth which may be needed early 

 in the season, and afterwards give support and vigor to the 

 growing crop. 



Taking the Crop and Method of Preservation. The season 

 of maturity of the earlier sorts will be indicated by the de- 

 cay of the plants. The later sorts will continue their growth 

 until checked by frost previous to which time they will 

 not be ready for harvesting. 



In summer weather, when it is practicable, the table 

 should be supplied from day to day directly from the field 

 or garden, as the tubers rapidly deteriorate after being taken 

 from the ground, particularly if exposed to a warm, light 

 atmosphere, or kept in a warm and dry cellar. 



In the preservation of potatoes it is of the first impor- 

 tance that they be excluded from light. If this is neglected, 

 they become not only injurious, but actually poisonous ; and 

 this is especially the fact when they are allowed to become 

 of a green color, which they readily will do on exposure to 

 the light. In a state of complete darkness they should, there- 



