THE POTATO. 189 



to lighten and arouse it up, and render it productive, 

 consisting of well-decayed leaves, fresh stable manure, and 

 ashes, well mixed. Unless the land be new virgin soil, 

 it is in vain to expect a heavy crop of potatoes without a 

 previous heavy manuring. Fresh stable manure is pre- 

 ferred to .that which h^s been allowed to rot. The po- 

 tato in its growth takes up a great deal of potash, and 

 hence the great utility of ashes as a fertilizer peculiarly 

 adapted to this crop. The green sand marl of New Jer- 

 sey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, is well known 

 to increase the product of the potato, and this it is sup- 

 posed to do by virtue of the potash it contains. A cool 

 climate and rather moist soil being most favorable to 

 this root, it has been found highly advantageous to keep 

 the manure on the top of the potatoes, as this affords 

 protection against the heating and drying effects of the 

 sun. Where the potatoes have been planted, and the 

 ground entirely covered soon afterwards with a thin lay- 

 er of straw or coarse hay, fine crops have been produced, 

 although no subsequent cultivation was resorted to. 



Potatoes are planted sometimes whole, but most fre- 

 quently cut into several pieces. Some persons contend 

 that the largest sized potatoes should alone be taken for 

 planting, others think the medium sized preferable, 

 whilst others again believe the very smallest will answer 

 every purpose. Those who use the smallest sizes should 

 be careful to plant them entire, or cut but very little. 

 A large-sized potato may be so divided as to make eight 

 sets, whilst one of medium size should not bo divided 

 into more than four or six sets. The sets should be laid 

 in the rows with the eyes upwards, and about ten inches 

 apart, the rows being from eighteen to twenty inches 

 asunder in gardens, but wider in lots and fields, where 

 17 



