TUBEROUS-ROOTED VEGETABLES 55 



dimensiorls. Potatoes grown in bulk require much space ; 

 therefore, where the latter is limited, a few rows of the early 

 short-haulm varieties should be planted aye, even twice during 

 the year ! An available greenhouse or frame also may be well 

 utilized by the skilful gardener to obtain tubers ; for, however 

 small, new Potatoes are always welcome. 



The secret of Potato culture consists in the constant stirring- 

 up of the soil. From the moment the purple head of the shoot 

 appears above the surface of the ground the hoe or fork should 

 never allow the soil to rest for any length of time. Hoeing, 

 breaking up lumps, large and small, loosening all soil with a 

 tendency to settle down firmly, applying soot, wood or vegetable 

 ashes, and perhaps a little artificial manure at the same time 

 this is the process that aids the formation of the popular tuber 

 in all soils : strenuous cultivation, in fact ! 



There are varieties of Potatoes to suit certain soils ; and it 

 is a wise plan to take note of this when choosing the sorts to be 

 grown. The soil which suits the Potato in general is a deep, 

 thoroughly-drained, sandy loam ; but this is not always in 

 evidence, unfortunately. The Potato, however, is an accom- 

 modating plant, and will thrive more or less on most soils, 

 especially if measures are taken to improve those soils by 

 digging and trenching the heavy, and manuring the light 

 ground. Organic manure, by the way, should always be applied 

 in the autumn, if at all, never in the spring ; and ground that 

 is rich in old manure and vegetable matter (that which has been 

 applied for a previous crop), is the best medium. 



Some time before planting, the " sets " should be placed 

 close together in shallow boxes, " eyes " upwards, and put in a 

 light place (near the glass in greenhouse or conservatory, or a 

 shed with glass roof or skylight), until the sprouts begin to turn 

 green and purple. When in this state, they may be planted 

 with a certainty of quicker results than would obtain if planted 

 earlier without being allowed to sprout in the light. 



There are several methods of planting. On light ground only 

 should the dibble be used ; the hole thus made would in heavier 

 soils simply form a receptacle to hold rain-water, wherein the 

 " set " would rot instead of growing. On medium and heavily- 

 inclined staples, planting should be performed while trenching 

 is being done i.e., a spade-deep trench is taken out, the subsoil 

 broken up and pulverized, and the row of " sets " placed upon 

 it ; then the next spit of surface-soil is dug and thrown over the 

 " sets," Two or three feet of ground are next dug in a similar 



