TUBEROUS-ROOTED VEGETABLES 57 



light, and give them air on all favourable occasions. The 

 temperature may range from fifty degrees at night, a little 

 air being admitted, to sixty-five degrees by day, with full 

 ventilation. This accords with the usual greenhouse tempera- 

 ture from and after the early part of February, in which Potatoes 

 in pots do exceedingly well, if arranged in light positions on 

 the borders or on shelves. Potatoes to be forced must first 

 be sprouted by being placed in trays of leaf-soil on a 

 greenhouse shelf in a light position. Short-topped varieties 

 are the most suitable. The soil should be in a moist 

 condition at planting ; and very little water will be 

 required for a time. The shoots on the tubers should be 

 some three-quarters of an inch below the surface, and the surface 

 of the soil at least three inches from the top of the pot. When 

 once rooting has commenced, liquid supplies will be needed, 

 always giving enough to thoroughly moisten the soil. Super- 

 phosphate four parts, sulphate of potash one part, and magnesia 

 one part, forms a good manure to use in liquid form, given at the 

 rate of half an ounce to one gallon of water. When the plants 

 are near maturity, keep them on the dry side in order to secure 

 high quality in the tubers. Potatoes can, of course, be forced in 

 a frame, providing that a good steady hotbed is available. 



Potatoes may also be propagated by means of the "eyes" 

 or embryo shoots, a quarter-inch long, furnished at the base 

 with embryo roots. The sprouted " eyes " should be removed 

 with a portion of the tuber attached. These detached portions 

 are planted three inches deep and twelve to fifteen inches apart. 

 Each shoot should be surrounded by a handful or two of good 

 light soil and leaf-mould to encourage free rooting. The " eyes " 

 may be also planted in small pots, and placed in a frame until 

 well rooted, then planted out. Before planting or potting the 

 " eyes," rub a little lime on the cut surfaces of the base to 

 prevent premature decay. It is the choice, new, or expensive 

 varieties that usually receive this treatment ; but this plan is 

 to be recommended in gardens with limited space, or for the 

 purposes of producing early Potatoes. 



When storing Potatoes for winter, preference should always 

 be given to a dry rather than a damp situation. The hole should 

 be cut out a foot or so wider than the heap of Potatoes it is 

 intended to build in it. Cover the bottom of the location with 

 several inches of dry cinders or ashes, and over this place a layer 

 of straw. Go carefully over the Potatoes, and remove all 

 diseased tubers, for if these are allowed to remain, the heat 



