POTATOES 107 



One ounce is sufficient for every two square yards (one 

 pound per rod). 



Steamed bone flour, wood ashes (potash) and seaweed 

 are all good foods for this crop, and many growers follow 

 the practice of strewing old rags and the fluff from carpet 

 sweepers in the drills before planting. On clay land, fine 

 cinders and ashes are of service, but they must be fine, 

 or the tubers will suffer from scab. 



In cases where the plot is known to be exceptionally 

 poor and deficient in humus, a sure way of obtaining a 

 good crop is to sow broadcast, early in March, a mixture 

 composed of one pint of winter vetches or tares, and one 

 ounce of white mustard, per rod ; then let it grow till 

 the latter end of May, and dig it in green. This will add 

 nitrates and humus to the soil, will lighten the land, kill 

 off weeds and wireworms, and make the ground much 

 more attractive for potato growing.* 



Varieties. Of course, a great deal depends upon a 

 judicious selection of the varieties which are to be 

 planted. Many beginners have told us that they pick 

 out the small tubers from the kitchen supplies and sprout 

 them, but this is not the best way of going about the 

 work. The proper plan is to buy specially gathered 

 seed from reputable dealers. The following varieties 

 are worth noting. 



FIRST EARLY. BEADY IN JUNE ONWARDS. 



Sharpe's Express. Has a good reputation for giving 

 abundant crops. 



Sharpens Victor. A good potato, but not such a satis- 

 factory cropper as the above. 



* H. Valentine Davis in " Food Gardening." 



