178 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



der annuals, low-growing and sun-loving. They usually 

 seed themselves, and once established will continue for 

 years. Many of the varieties will produce a good percent- 

 age of flowers as double as roses and of many colors. 

 Seed should be sown where wanted. They bloom freely in 

 light, sandy soil in the full blaze of the sun. 



Potato. The common practice of growing 

 Potatoes in ridges or elevated hills is wrong, unless the soil 

 is so wet that this practice is necessary to insure proper 

 drainage; but in this case the land is not adapted to the 

 growing of Potatoes. If the land is elevated into ridges or 

 hills, there is a great loss of moisture by means of evapo- 

 ration. During the last cultivating the Potatoes may be 

 hilled up slightly in order to cover the tubers ; but the hills 

 should not be made in the beginning. Land for 

 Potatoes should be rather loamy in character, and 

 ought to have a liberal supply of potash, either 

 naturally or supplied in the drill, by means of an 

 application of sulfate of potash. See that the 

 land is deeply plowed or spaded, so that the roots 

 can penetrate deeper. Plant the Potatoes 3 or 

 4 inches below the natural surface of the ground. 

 It is ordinarily best to drop the pieces in drills. 

 A continuous drill maybe made by means of drop- 

 ping one piece every 6 inches, but it is usually 

 thought best to drop two pieces about every 12 

 to 18 inches. The drills are far enough apart to allow good 

 cultivation. If horse cultivation is used, the drills should 

 be at least 3 feet apart. 



Small Potatoes are considered not to be so good as large 

 ones for planting. One reason is because too many sprouts 

 arise from each one, and these sprouts are apt to crowd 

 each other. The same is true of the tip end or seed end of 

 the tuber. Even when it is cut off, the eyes are so numer- 

 ous that one secures many weak shoots rather than two or 

 three strong ones. It is ordinarily best to cut the Potatoes 



