POTATO 97 



of in our philosophy. As a farm and garden crop its value may at 

 any moment be influenced by such considerations, and it should be 

 added that the dietetic value of the Potato appears to be always ad- 

 vancing. As a food it is properly associated with animal products of 

 some kind or other, being in itself deficient of flesh-forming constitu- 

 ents ; but when in this proper association it appears capable of super- 

 seding all other vegetable foods, bread alone excepted. We are not 

 about to recommend our readers to abstain from Asparagus, and 

 Peas, and Spinach, and regard Potatoes as a sufficient substitute for 

 such delicacies ; but it is well to remember that while this useful root 

 is, by virtue of its starchy compounds, an important article of food, 

 it has a direct tendency to promote health and that freshness of com- 

 plexion that appears to prevail most amongst well-fed people who 

 customarily use Potatoes. So universal and emphatic are the testi- 

 monies of commanders of ships, and more especially of those who 

 are exposed to privations in the Arctic regions, to its power of pre- 

 venting and of curing scurvy, that it is not unlikely that preserved 

 Potatoes will, as a prophylactic, supplement lemon and lime-juice, 

 with the advantage of affording nourishment to the seaman, which 

 these aids do not. 



EARLY POTATOES are produced in various ways, and by very 

 simple appliances. The Potato will not bear the slightest touch of 

 frost. It is a sub-tropical plant, and will endure considerable heat if 

 at the same time it can enjoy light, air, and sufficient moisture. In 

 some respects it may be likened to the Lettuce, for if crowded or 

 overheated, or subjected to sudden checks, it bolts in other words, 

 it produces plenty of top and no bottom, just as Lettuces similarly 

 treated produce flowering stems and no hearts. We will here pro- 

 pose a very simple and practical procedure for obtaining a nice crop 

 of Potatoes in the month of June, without any forcing or troublesome 

 arrangements whatever. This system fairly mastered, endless modi- 

 fications will be easily effected as circumstances and judgment may 

 suggest. 



We begin by selecting an early variety of the best quality, such 

 as Sutton's Ashleaf. Some time towards the end of January the 

 sets are packed closely in shallow boxes, one layer deep only, 

 and these are placed in full daylight safe from frost, but are not 

 subjected to heat in any way. It may be well to sprinkle them 

 slightly with water now and then, but a little of this goes a long way, 

 and it is not absolutely necessary. Having made a beginning by 

 starting the sets into growth in full daylight, we proceed to prepare 



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