98 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



the ground. This must be light, warm, dry, and rather rich without 

 being rank. If there is a length of wall at command, and we are 

 perplexed to find some nice stuff for the early Potatoes, we will go to 

 the potting shed and seize all the sandy soil that has been turned 

 out of pots, and having mixed with it as much as can be spared of 

 leaf-mould and quite rotten manure, we proceed to lay the mixture in 

 a ridge at the foot of the wall, and thus we prepare for the earliest 

 crop without the aid of frames. As walls do not anywhere run in 

 such lengths as to provide for all the early Potatoes that are wanted, 

 we select a plot of ground lying warm and dry to the sun, and having 

 spread over it a liberal allowance of decayed manure, and any light 

 fertilising stuff, such as the red and black residue from the burning of 

 hedge clippings, turf and weeds, we dig this in. The ground being 

 ready, it is lined out in neat ridges two feet apart, running north 

 and south. These ridges must be shallow, rising not more than six 

 inches above the general level. On every fourth ridge sow early Peas 

 that are not likely to grow more than two and a half to three feet in 

 height. This being done in February, the land is ready for Potatoes 

 in the first week of March. Plant on the fine stuff laid up next the 

 wall in the first instance, and then on the ridges, where there is room 

 for three rows of Potatoes between every two rows of Peas. In the 

 process of planting, it will be advisable to rub off all the weak eyes 

 and thin out those on the crown, two or three strong eyes being 

 quite sufficient. This can easily be accomplished as the sets are 

 laid into their places in a shallow drill opened on the top of the 

 ridge. The sets may be put a foot apart, and have four inches of 

 fine soil over them. Prick the ground over with a fork between the 

 rows, leaving it quite rough, but regular and workmanlike. The 

 Peas will soon appear, and will require attention. Draw a little 

 fine earth to them, and stake them carefully with small brushwood. 

 If snails and slugs appear, give dustings of lime or soot, and as 

 soon as possible supply stakes of sufficient height and strength to 

 carry the crop. By the time the Potatoes begin to show their shaws 

 the Peas will constitute an effectual shelter for them against east 

 winds, and it will be found that the morning frosts that are often so 

 injurious to Potatoes in the month of May will scarcely touch a crop 

 that has the advantage of this kind of protection. But to that alone 

 we must not trust. One serious freezing that blackens the shaws 

 will delay and diminish the Potato crop. Therefore, when the green 

 tops first appear, cover them to the depth of an inch with fine earth 

 from between the rows, and repeat this until they are six inches 



