THE POTATO. 183 



which has been allowed to rot. The potato in its growth 

 takes up a great deal of potash, and hence the great utility 

 of ashes as a fertilizer peculiarly adapted to this crop. 

 The green sand marl of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 

 and Virginia, is well known to increase the product of the 

 potato, and this it is supposed to do by virtue of the pot- 

 ash it contains. A cool climate and rather moist soil be- 

 ing most favorable to this root, it has been found highly 

 advantageous to keep the manure on the top of the pota- 

 toes, as this affords protection against the heating and dry- 

 ing effects of the sun. Where the potatoes have been 

 planted, and the ground entirely covered soon afterwards 

 with a thin layer of straw or coarse hay, fine crops have 

 been produced, although no subsequent cultivation was re- 

 sorted to. 



Potatoes are planted sometimes whole, but most fre- 

 quently cut into several pieces. Some persons contend 

 that the largest sized potatoes should alone be taken for 

 planting, others think the medium sized preferable, whilst 

 others again believe the very smallest will answer every 

 purpose. Those who use the smallest sizes should be care- 

 ful to plant them entire, or cut but very little. A large- 

 sized potato may be so divided as to make eight sets, whilst 

 one of medium size should not be divided into more than 

 four or six sets. The sets should be laid in the rows with 

 the eyes upwards, and about ten inches apart, the rows be- 

 ing from eighteen to twenty inches asunder in gardens, but 

 wider in lots and fields, where they are worked by the cul- 

 tivator and plough. The sets for planting should be cut 

 at least a week before they are to go in the ground, and it 

 is a good plan to roll them in ground plaster of Paris or 

 old slaked lime. 



The culture of the potato should not be repeated upon 



