115 



short time the outside leaves were well covered. My 

 explanation is, that only the eggs that were laid on the 

 outside leaves, where the heat of the sun could reach them, 

 hatched, and that millions that were laid in the first part 

 of the season, like many early set hens' eggs, did not 

 hatch. 



I think the reason why, in the early part of the season, 

 the most bugs are found on the small, weak plants, is not 

 because more eggs are laid on them, but because all that 

 are laid have a chance to hatch. 



I have seen it stated that some of the best potato grow- 

 ers about New York City have of late made it a practice 

 to manure heavy, seed high, and let the bugs go. I think 

 the reason why it is safe for them to do this is, because by 

 so doing they destroy many of the eggs. 



To have first quality eating potatoes, a large per cent, 

 of the foliage must remain uninjured by bugs, Paris green 

 or rust, until the potatoes are well matured. When the 

 leaves wilt and droop they have done their work — the crop 

 is then in its best condition to dig ; the drying of the stalk 

 while yet connected with the tuber, seems to detract from 

 its eating qualities. 



Wire worms and white grubs don't eat potatoes before 

 they are ripe. I suppose up to that time they live on the 

 green and tender roots of the plant. 



The farmer needs a different variety of potato from the 

 one best for the market gardener. The early varieties 

 get ripe, the tops die, the worms begin to eat, and the 

 weeds get possession of the land before the farmer, who 

 has haying to do, can get ready to dig them. 



A variety that will bear heavy seeding and not set too 

 many tubers, one that will grow stocky vines which will 

 stand up stout and strong through hot, dry weather, — one 

 that will grow foliage enough to completely shade the 



