VEGETABLES 83 



warmth ; the stem decays, and a smell of putrefac- 

 tion is present, and the increased specific gravity of 

 the potato amounts to one-third more than that of 

 a healthy tuber ; when boiled the potato turns black. 



Many gardeners slice the tubers into pieces con- 

 taining^- two or three eyes, and some cut the tubers 

 directly into halves, but the best results are obtained 

 from planting them whole of medium size. 



Saving the Tubers. — The medium sized tubers 

 should form the most prolific roots for plant- 

 ing next year. Dry them by exposure to the sun 

 for two or three days till they become slightly green, 

 then store them in a dry place, laying them, out thinly, 

 and looking over them occasionally to remove any 

 diseased ones. 



The tubers should not be dug up till the tops 

 are quite dead, and then a dry day should be 

 chosen. Be careful in lifting the skin is not 

 bruised. Rub off any sprouts that may grow till 

 February, when the tubers should be set on end in 

 layers in shallow boxes, and placed in a light cool 

 shed where frost cannot penetrate ; the sprouts will 

 then begin to grow strong, and when planted these 

 should be half an inch long ; but it is a good plan for 

 amateurs to buy the tubers from Sutton or some 

 other good seedsman to begin. When they have 

 some experience in potato growing they can then 

 save their tubers for seed. 



Potato Disease.— A solution of sulphate of 

 copper and lime, mixed and applied with a syringe 

 before the disease has attacked the plants to any 

 extent, will mitigate its further progress and 

 ensure a healthy growth. The proportions are 

 22 lb. of the sulphate and 22 lb. of lime to 100 gal- 

 lons of water to an acre of ground. The lime must 



