964 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK x. 



the weight per acre of such large seed is much greater than that of 

 seed of ordinary size. 



6. That seed sprouted in boxes yields from a ton to two tons per acre 

 more than unsprouted seed from the same lot kept in a clamp through 

 the winter. 



7. That Scotch or Irish seed produces in England much greater crops 

 than English seed. Irish seed has only recently been tested against 

 Scotch, and it has proved at least equal to it as a rule, and in some cases 

 superior. 



Thorough cultivation of the land is essential to success in potato 

 growing, not only in preparation for the crop, but also after it has been 

 planted. From the first it is absolutely necessary to keep the weeds in 

 check, and frequent harrowings, so long as the land is not too wet or the 

 sets moved, will pay. As soon as the potato-shoots are above ground it 

 is time to commence hand-hoeing and horse-hoeing, and the more work 

 of this sort, particularly single-row horse-hoeing, the better will the crop 

 be ; the benefits of heavy manuring, good seed, and even cleanliness of 

 soil, will all be lost if the soil is not kept light so that air can get to 

 the roots, and the few potatoes that are formed will be of bad shape. 



It is not advisable to leave the moulding-up too late, as wet weather 

 may set in and render it impossible to mould, as the deep tilth formed 

 by the horse-hoes will not carry the horses till the haulm has grown so 

 large as to seriously interfere with the operation, and many of the out- 

 side young potatoes will be rubbed off. The moulding or ridging should 

 not be to a point at the top, but left some 6 to 8 inches across, not only 

 to catch what may be a limited rainfall, but also to insure the potatoes 

 having a good covering. If not, there will be many green-ended ones, 

 and these being unfit for human food, are of no value save for cattle at 

 about one-fourth of the price of marketable tubers. Through bad moulding 

 or no moulding at all we have seen quite half a crop of the largest tubers 

 spoilt in this manner, and not only that, but there is the serious risk of 

 an early frost catching and completely spoiling them; therefore it is 

 of primary importance that the moulding be well and carefully done, 

 even though it has to be gone over twice. Potatoes planted on the ridge 

 do not suffer to anything like the same extent as those on the flat ; they 

 are better covered in the first case, and the potatoes form deeper from 

 the surface. 



Potatoes required for storing are better left in the ground till 

 thoroughly matured and, even if for immediate sale, look immensely 

 better and invariably fetch higher prices than with their unripe skins 

 all frayed and peeling. The two methods of raising the crop are 

 forking, and ploughing out with a potato digging plough or other 

 implement (see page 714). Before purchasing an implement with 

 revolving prongs, it is desirable to be assured that it is not one that will 

 bruise the tubers. Great efforts have been made to prevent this damage, 

 and it is a question whether the best of the implements of the kind 

 named injure the potatoes as much as men do when raising them by 

 piecework with forks, as they naturally carry on the work with speed, 

 and it is only by being very careful that the pricking of a good many 



