THE CULTURE OF THE POTATO. 49 



position; but should in all cases be placed on their 

 sides, with the buds or sprouts pointing along the 

 drill and all pointing in the same direction, preferably 

 northwards. This position of the tubers tends to 

 delay the appearance of the plants above ground, 

 which is often a distinct advantage in the event of 

 late frosts ; but what is of greater importance, it 

 secures a greater length of stem below ground, and 

 consequently a greater production of early roots on 

 which the crop is formed later. 



After Cultivation. When the :plants are well 

 above ground, and the rows are distinctly seen, the 

 soil should be cleaned if need be and made quite free 

 from weeds, carefully forking out all perennial plants 

 and removing them, as small pieces of root left in 

 the ground are sure to grow and cause trouble later. 



The ground should then be well forked and loosened 

 between the rows, and to some extent between the 

 plants, the full depth of the digging fork. The soil, 

 however, should not be turned over, but allowed to 

 fall back into its former position, so as to retain 

 moisture and keep the moist soil along with the 

 manure underneath instead of exposing it on the 

 surface. Run the digging fork through any large 

 clods to break them up, and then level the surface. 

 This important operation provides the loose, free- 

 rooting conditions which are so beneficial and natural 

 to the potato plant, promotes rapid growth and a 

 branching extension of the root system resulting in 

 increased tuber formation. It also facilitates the 

 earthing up of the rows later. In the case of stifi 

 soils, a second forking between the rows a week or so 

 before earthing up is advisable. 



(2,012) 4 



