44 



lie throws it into the hole dug in the previous row ; 

 this covers in the potato, and the planting is complete. 

 When dibbling or spading-in is practised it is important 

 that the soil immediately about the sets is in a well- 

 worked condition ; the space between the rows can be 

 stirred by means of grubbers afterwards. One of the 

 advantages of the Ridge system over the Flat is that the 

 land is left in a light condition above the sets, and the 

 whole of the soil is moved after the horses have passed 

 over the ground. 



Ploughing-in Potatoes. 



Ploughing-in on the Flat is largely practised in 

 some districts, but it is only suitable for strong growing 

 varieties. The chief disadvantages are that, except 

 where the ploughing is very accurately done, and 

 great care is exercised in the placing of the sets, the 

 rows are not sufficiently straight to allow good work 

 to be done with the horse-hoe and grubber. The 

 horses are liable to displace the sets if they are allowed 

 to walk in the furrow, and if they walk on the un- 

 turned land they destroy its friability. A distinct 

 advantage is obtained by using the digging plough in 

 the place of the common plough, as the land is left in a 

 much better condition and the work is more economi- 

 cally done. Two furrows made by a digging plough 

 are sufficient to cover in the potatoes, when the rows 

 are placed 27 inches apart, whereas three are necessary 

 where the common plough is used, and the work is not 

 so well done. Six or seven hands are required to 



