Vegetable Growing for Market 143 



be varied by an arrangement of chain wheels fixed to the frame of the 

 machine. The ingenious design of the cups and the special incline given 

 to the chain prevent doubles from being carried up in the cups, and 

 also minimize the risk of blanks. The machine, drawn by one horse 

 and attended by a lad, can plant from 7 to 8 ac. in one day" (Standard 

 Cyclopedia of Modern Agriculture). 



Although a larger area can be covered in a given time by such a 

 potato - planting machine, one must bear in mind that there is great 

 risk in breaking sprouted tubers planted in this way. Where drills 

 are opened proper distances apart with a plough, it would be better to 

 plant sprouted tubers by hand, and an intelligent lad would be able to 



Fig. 484. Richmond Potato Planter 



dispose of several hundreds of tubers in the course of a day. The cost 

 would necessarily be greater, but, as the crop ought to be heavier, there 

 would probably be little difference in the net results. Whatever method 

 of planting is adopted the drills should be not less than 6 in. nor more 

 than 8 in. deep. The work should be performed when the soil is in a 

 dryish and friable condition, so that it is easily worked, and will cover 

 the tubers well when moulded over them. 



Many market gardeners have potato ground dug, and the tubers are 

 planted by making holes with a long stout dibber having a cross bar 

 at the top to serve as a handle. There is no particular gain in this, so 

 far as time is concerned, and sprouted tubers run the risk of having 

 the sprouts broken off when they are being dropped into the holes. The 

 more the ground is broken up, either with the spade, fork, or plough, 

 the better and sweeter it becomes, and the more food it yields for the 

 crops. At one time, in the neighbourhood of London, market gardeners 

 used to plant early Potatoes between the rows of Gooseberry and Currant 

 bushes. This method might be practised in young plantations of fruit 

 trees and bushes; but when the latter grow larger they take away so 

 much light from the Potatoes that a comparatively poor crop would 



