THE POTATO. , 199 



as equally as possible. If rules are to be given, they 

 should be: cut a large potato to single eyes, whether 

 sprouted or not. Small potatoes may not be ripe enough 

 to grow strong shoots; but if a small potato is enough 

 matured to put forth sturdy sprouts, cut it also to single 

 eyes; for very little substance will suffice for their sup- 

 port; but, if the potato has not sprouted, it may be 

 planted whole, without much danger of its pushing up 

 more than one stalk. Of late years, Southern truck- 

 farmers have found that home-grown seed of the second 

 crop of Irish potatoes, maturing late in the fall, whether 

 cut or not, gives the best yields, and southern seed are 

 now preferred from Norfolk to the Gulf. The tubers, 

 being a shorter time out of the ground, are not so dry, 

 and put forth only single shoots. There is no fear that 

 their first sprouts have been rubbed off before planting. 

 If frost cuts down the young plants, unlike northern 

 seed, only single shoots will appear, yielding large pota- 

 toes, instead of many too small for market. 



SOIL AND CULTIVATION. 



In an open, warm, sandy soil, the sets may be planted 

 soon after being cut ; but for a cool, moist and heavier 

 soil, the cut surfaces should be dried by spreading the 

 sets in the shade for a day or two, or, if put up in bulk, 

 sprinkle with lime or land-plaster. 



The quantity required to plant an acre will be about 

 three to four barrels, according to the size, and the man- 

 ner of cutting the potatoes. While the plant is indig- 

 enous to Southern latitudes, it is found at considerable 

 altitudes above the level of the sea, and partakes of the 

 peculiarities of those of cool climates, generally suc- 

 ceeding better at the North than at the South. IJnlike 

 its relatives, the egg-plant and tomato, it is intolerant of 

 dryness and heat, and should therefore be planted as 

 early as the season will admit, in order to escape warm 

 weather. About February 1st is soon, enough for the 



