24 



the Lazybed (usually called the Ridge in Ireland). It 

 is probable that the Drill is the most successful on the 

 whole, though under some circumstances the Flat is 

 most suitable. The preparation of the land for these 

 two systems may be practically similar until just pre- 

 viously to planting, except that it is usual on the Drill 

 system to apply the manure immediately before the 

 seed is put in. The land is laid alternately in ridge and 

 furrow by means of a double-breasted plough. The 

 dung is then laid along the furrows, the potatoes placed 

 upon it, and the ridges are split by the same plough, 

 so that new ridges are formed where the furrows had 

 been, thus covering in the potatoes. 



The Flat System. 



When potatoes are planted on the Flat the dung is 

 most commonly applied at any time* previously be- 

 tween autumn and the planting season, in which way 

 it becomes incorporated with the soil. A fine tilth is 

 prepared as a seed-bed, and the rows in which the 

 potatoes are to be planted are indicated by a cord, or 

 shallow marks are made by a drill or other implement 

 steered straight, and along these lines holes are made 

 by a spade or dibble, into which the seed potatoes are 

 placed, and subsequently covered with earth. 



The Lazybed System. . 



The Lazybed is worked entirely by spade labour, 

 though the earlier operations may sometimes be 

 effected with a plough. This system is valuable on 



