2 1 o Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



KITCHEN GARDEN continued. 



a sheltered south or west border in February, then it is possible to 

 dig in May in mild districts. In cold, exposed places it is not 

 prudent to plant before April. Potatoes will thrive in both light 



and heavy soils if 

 friable, but damp sites 

 should be avoided. 

 The ground should be 

 dug deeply and given 

 a fair dressing of de- 

 cayed manure, supple- 

 mented by 4 Ib. of 

 kainit and 3 Ib. of 

 superphosphate per 

 square rod, applied in 

 February, the whole 

 turned well in. The drills for early varieties may be drawn 2 ft. and 

 those for late ones 3 ft. apart, all 4 ins. deep, then with a light ridge of 

 soil over all they will be covered 5 or 6 ins. The sets may be a foot 

 apart. When the plants are 8 or 9 ins. high, soil should be drawn up 

 to the tips. About the end of June the plants should be sprayed with 

 Bordeaux Mixture (see Bordeaux), which should be got well under 

 the leaves. Woburn Bordeaux Paste, a proprietary compound 

 sold by seedsmen, may be used instead if more convenient. An 

 Abol sprayer will be found a good and inexpensive appliance suitable 

 for small cultures. For large cultures a knapsack sprayer is prefer- 

 able. If the weather is damp and the temperature low at mid-July 

 a second spraying should be given. The crop will be ready for lift- 



FORCING POTATOES IN BOXES. 



i. Soil. 2. Space for water. 3. Drainage material. 



4. Hole for water to escape. 



GROWING EARLY POTATOES IN POTS. 



i. Space for water. 2. Soil. 



3. Drainage. 



THE POTATO DISEASE 



(Phytophthora infestans). 



i. Spots on the upper surface. 



, Diseased patches on under side. 



3. Healthy leaf. 



ing when the leaves, being free from disease, turn yellow; the period 

 will vary with the sort and district. Early sorts are frequently 

 lifted while the tops are green, but it is generally at the sacrifice of 

 flavour and quantity. Tubers to be stored for future use should be 

 allowed to lie in the sun until the skins are set, but no longer, other- 

 wise they will turn green. In such a state they are good for seed 

 but not for food. Seed Potatoes may be stored in a light place, but 



