102 BUIST'S FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



as they appear above ground, give frequent and deep hoeings, 

 drawing earth carefully to the stems as they advance in growth. 

 We assuredly detest the appearance of a weed among this 

 crop, and frequently mourn and almost weep over fields of the 

 rankest weeds where the undergrowth is potatoes. What can 

 be expected from such slovenly husbandry gardening we will 

 not call it. The crop is thereby injured in quality and quan- 

 tity, and not only that, but frequently disease ensues, which is 

 attributed to the Potato degenerating. What an idea ! Degene- 

 rate ! no, never ! All seeds, not only of this vegetable, but of 

 every other, should be changed every three years at farthest ; 

 and we would change the kind of soil, or the Potato for seed, 

 every two years. A change from light soil to heavy, or the 

 reverse, will tend to benefit the quality, and if this cannot be 

 effected, change with some of your distant friends, or make 

 purchase from other States. We have said that early Potatoes 

 should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked, which 

 is from the 1st to the 20th of March. A few may then be 

 planted in a very sheltered place, where they would not be 

 much exposed to late frosts. The main crop should be planted 

 about the 15th to the end of April. If left till a later period, 

 they are very liable to be affected by the droughts of Summer, 

 and take on an Autumn growth, which invariably injures 

 the quality of the tuber. The maturity of the crop is readily 

 known by the whitening of the stems, though they are fit for 

 the table before that period. As soon as they are what is 

 termed half-grown, a few may be lifted for use. Those intended 

 for seed are considered better adapted for the purpose if they 

 are not perfectly ripe, yet I doubt if this opinion is confirmed 

 by experience. Writers on this subject too frequently reiter- 

 ate the expressions of their predecessors. This is very obser- 

 vable among writers on horticultural and agricultural sub- 

 jects. The experience of Abercrombie, Speechly and Knight 

 is retailed as new matter for the present age, (advanced in 

 every other science,) and is admitted as being as undeniable 



