114 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



" 7. No loss by- late spring frosts. If the early growth is 

 cut oflf, the dormant eyes will grow and the crop be saved. 



" 8. The greatest economy of culture and harvesting. 



" 9. The highest table quality of potato. 



" If the materials for the compost cannot be obtained, top- 

 dress heavily in the fall, after ploughing, with barn-manure, but 

 never use it in the season of planting. It may increase the 

 crop, but tends to engender disease, especially in wet seasons. 



" Any further information on the subject will be cheerfully 

 furnished on application. 



" If you wish liberal crops you must give liberal culture^'' 



FORCING POTATOES IN HOTBEDS. 



Potatoes may be forced in a great variety of ways. Those 

 who attempt to mature Potatoes in frames, will of course pro- 

 vide such of the earliest kinds as are not inclined to produce 

 large tops. Potatoes may be forwarded in growth previous to 

 being planted in the beds, by placing them in a warm, damp 

 cellar. Some forward them in pots and boxes, and afterwards 

 mature them in a hotbed ; others plant them in the bed at 

 once, in which case the bed should be moulded from fifteen to 

 twenty inches deep, and the heating materials should be 

 sufficient to keep up a moderate heat for several weeks. 



Perhaps the most convenient way to force Potatoes in this 

 climate, is to provide pots for the purpose, and plant one set 

 in each pot, and place them in a warm cellar till a bed can be 

 prepared. While the tuberous roots are forming, and before 

 they fill the pots, prepare the beds for maturing them, and then 

 bury them in the mould with the balls of earth attached to 

 them. 



The beds should be kept free from frost, and air should be 

 given at every opportunity. The common round Potatoes 

 may be forwarded, by laying them thick together in a slight 

 hotbed in March, and when they are planted in the borders, a 

 quantity of comb-maker's shavings may be deposited in each 

 hill ; this will greatly promote their growth. 



