110 GROW YOUR OWN AHSGETABLES 



point, however. In spring the Scotch seed is slower in 

 sprouting than the English, and therefore runs less risk of 

 damage." 



Sprouting. Whilst the ground is being brought into 

 proper condition the seed potatoes should be sprouted. 

 About Christmas time a supply of shallow boxes is 

 obtained and leaf mould, sand and good dry earth placed 

 to the depth of one or two inches over the bottom of 

 them. This is not essential but advisable. Then the 

 sets (i.e., the seed potatoes) are loosely stood upright in 

 the mould, the thick ends upwards. The boxes are stored 

 in a light, well- ventilated but, above all, frost-proof 

 place, where the seed should gradually become green and 

 eventually commence sprouting. When a considerable 

 number of boxes are used they may be stood one above 

 the other, but the air must be able to circulate freely 

 amongst the tubers. This condition is obtained by 

 nailing pieces of wood to the boxes so as to make the 

 ends two or three inches higher than the sides. 



Pla nting. The time of planting the sets is somewhere 

 between mid-March and early May, but the actual date 

 depends more upon the condition of the soil than the 

 calendar. On no account may the planting be done in 

 cold wet ground that is lumpy and heavy. 



When a suitable day has arrived the sets are carefully 

 examined ; any that have not sprouted are rejected, 

 and all but two or three shoots rubbed off the others. 

 Then trenches are dug and the tubers with their delicate 

 shoots carefully placed upright in them. The earth is 

 drawn back into position and levelled. Early potatoes 

 are planted 4 inches below the ground, 12 inches 

 between the sets, and 20 inches between the rows. 



