52 



early as possible. If no crop is grown through autumn 

 it should be dug then : if a spring crop is taken it is 

 obvious that it cannot be dug during winter. On 

 ground which rests on a close subsoil it is advantageous 

 to trench the land so as to afford more thorough tillage, 

 but on loose subsoils equal advantage is not gained, 

 although the land may be benefited to some extent. 

 Potatoes of more even quality are obtained when the 

 trenching and manuring are done for the previous crop, 

 thus avoiding the necessity of putting the potatoes 

 on the dung. A small quantity of mineral artificial 

 manures or lime is then all that is required, and if the 

 land is dug a spit deep no treatment can be better. 

 The potatoes can then be planted on either of the 

 systems already mentioned- 



Jersey Potatoes. 



The Channel Islands are favourably placed for the 

 production of potatoes early in the season. Until 

 very recently these and the Scilly Isles were practi- 

 cally the only places outside England from which 

 considerable quantities of new potatoes were imported 

 before June. Other countries now compete for the 

 high prices which rule early in the season, but Jersey 

 is still the most important producer. Jersey maintains 

 its high position not only on account of the earliness 

 with which the potatoes can be put on the market, but 

 because of the high quality of the produce, due to 

 good cultivation and the selection of varieties suitable 

 for the special trade. Over 50,000 tons are exported 



