POTATO. 1J3 



by cultivation, especially if they are blanched in the same 

 way as is directed for sea-kale. 



The berries and roots are reputed to have medicinal if 

 not poisonous qualities; but the young shoots are not so. 



It should bo grown in rich deep soil, the plants being 

 set about twelve or fifteen inches apart. 



POTATO, 



The potato delights in a dry, light, loamy soil, preferably 

 a fresh pasture land with the sod turned under the , 

 autumn previous to planting. In stiff, clayey soils, es- 

 pecially if they have been long under cultivation, they are 

 very liable to disease, to be of inferior quality and lacking 

 in productiveness. 



In fresh lauds they do-not require much manure, and in 

 any soils dry or absorbent manures are the best. Such 

 as fine ground bone, superphosphate of lime, ashes, horn 

 shavings and comb-makers' waste. When these cannot 

 be had, well-rotted manure, sea- weed or decayed leaves 

 may be used. Fresh, strong, stimulating manures should 

 always be avoided; but whatever manure is used, it should 

 be spread evenly over the ground, and well plowed in, and 

 not put into the drills or hills, as is generally the practice. 

 Whatever manure is used, it is best to apply it to the soil 

 and plow it in the autumn previous to planting. 



There has been much discussion as to whether it is best 

 to plant cut sets or small whole tubers, but good crops 

 have been and can be raised by either method, provided 

 always that the sets are cut from well ripened potatoes, or 

 that the small tubers are well ripened. This cannot be too 

 much insisted upon ; if, in either case, they are not thor- 

 oughly ripened, the crop will be reduced in yield and very 



