43 



Dibbling-in Potatoes. 



Having decided upon the distance at which the 

 potatoes are to be planted, the next point to decide is 

 what means shall be adopted in planting them. Where 

 they are budded a dibble is commonly used ; this is a 

 stout stick or shaft about 4 feet 6 inches long, at the 

 bottom of which is attached a thicker block, tapering 

 towards the point ; the top of the block is cut square 

 so as to form a tread for the foot. The dibble is forced 

 into the ground, and a hole sufficiently large for the 

 set to be placed in it at a depth of about 3 inches 

 below the surface is formed. When the potato is in 

 its place the hole is filled in by means of a rake or 

 harrow. This is a somewhat slow and expensive 

 method, and is only recommended where the sets have 

 been sprouted. Sometimes a dibble consisting of a 

 pointeol shaft about 3 feet long, with a T-cross-piece 

 at the top, is used. The T-piece is held in both 

 hands, and the hole is made by thrusting the dibble 

 into the ground by the force of the hands only. 



A / Spading-in Potatoes. 



Spading-in is a more expeditious method, as with 

 well-prepared ground a man and boy can plant an 

 acre in a day, with rows 2 feet 3 inches apart, and sets 

 15 inches from each other. The man goes along the 

 mark, and throws out a spadeful of earth at each place 

 he wishes a set to be dropped by the boy. Having 

 worked across the field he commences on the next 

 row, digging out a spadeful of earth as before, but now 



