THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



Phosphates are very valuable fertilisers for po- 

 tatoes and produce very much smoother tubers 

 than where it is not applied. The most economical 

 method of using is to scatter a tablespoonful in 

 each hill, distributing it over a foot or two of sur- 

 face. Flower of sulphur in the hills will entirely 

 prevent the presence of scab in the potatoes and is 

 a more satisfactory method than the previous treat- 

 ment of the seed by corrosive sublimate, formalde- 

 hyde, or other poisons. 



In the case of the potato beetle and its ravages, 

 one should use the ounce of prevention and watch 

 for the first appearance of the mature beetle and 

 its eggs. Where there is but a small planting of 

 potatoes, it will be practicable to handpick the vine, 

 killing all bugs and removing all eggs, which will 

 be found, a yellow mass, on the underside of the 

 leaves. If these are entirely removed at their first 

 appearance, little further trouble will be experi- 

 enced, unless a careless neighbour also grows po- 

 tatoes, in which case one's best efforts may prove 

 abortive. 



Once the beetles have gained a footing, the only 

 remedy is Paris green, either as a dust, mixed with 



plaster in the proportion of a teaspoonful of the 



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