112 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



The potato grower's labours are not completed when 

 the tubers are safely in the ground. In the early days 

 of their growth he needs to watch for signs of frost, and 

 if any of the tender green shoots have pushed through 

 the surface and cold nights come along he must afford 

 protection by drawing the earth over them or by pro- 

 viding a blanket of straw. When the shoots begin to 

 rear themselves up above the surface, the ground must 

 be hoed and ridged, and this process requires repeating 

 as the plants increase in height. The ridges must be 

 pointed at the apex and not flat- topped (see Figs. 7 and 8 

 on Plate 9). Later the grower must decide whether one 

 or more applications of artificial liquid manure are 

 necessary, and lastly, he will have to spray the haulms 

 twice in the season. All these necessary operations 

 make great calls upon his leisure moments, but the time 

 is well spent if a profitable crop results. 



Lifting. Sometime in September the late varieties 

 should be ready for lifting, but as long as the leaves are 

 green and the haulms seem healthy there is no particular 

 need to get them out. Early tubers are usually dug 

 when the grower's curiosity reaches its climax, or when 

 the housewife's pleadings for new potatoes can be 

 resisted no longer. Lifting should be performed in dry 

 weather, for then the tubers will be clean and not clodded 

 with earth. They need exposing to the air for a day or 

 two but not long enough to turn them green before 

 being stored away in the dark. 



Storing. There are two or three ways of storing 

 potatoes for winter use. Where the quantities are small 

 it will be a good plan to line a box or barrel with dried 



