ROOT VEGETABLES 



poison to a quart of lime, sifted from a sifting-box 

 with quite small holes, over the plants when wet 

 with dew or rain, or with a solution of the poison 

 about a teaspoonful to three gallons of water. 

 This may be used by means of a brush-broom 

 dipped in the solution and shaken over the plants 

 or by means of a spraying pump ; in the latter case 

 a much stronger solution may be used, as the spray 

 is so fine a very small quantity of liquid is de- 

 posited. Should rain follow the spraying, it will be 

 necessary to repeat as soon as the weather clears. 



Potatoes should be dug as soon as the tubers are 

 ripe and the tops dead. Left in the ground, espe- 

 cially in wet weather, they are liable to start new 

 growth, which injures them. Late potatoes, how- 

 ever, may be left longer, but must be dug before 

 the ground freezes. A bright day is best for dig- 

 ging the tubers, and if possible the ground should 

 be dry in order that the earth may not adhere to 

 the tubers and so that they may be picked up and 

 stored as soon as possible after digging. Potatoes 

 should not be allowed to lie uncovered, as this 

 turns them green, but should be covered with any- 

 thing available old carpets, sacking, straw, or 

 fodder anything which will exclude light. 



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