WAY OF GROWING POTATOES 89 



hence the combined implement wherever possible 

 should be purchased. Whether a man is handling land 

 on a small or large scale labour-saving implements are 

 of the greatest importance. 



" Neither wise men nor fools can work withont tools." 

 Some of the latter do try, but they always wind up in 

 the workhouse. 



Now for the spraying of the crop. It is surprising 

 how few smallholders in England ever spray their 

 potato crop. In Ireland nowadays the spraying of 

 potatoes is universal. 



THE VALUE OF SPRAYING AND SPROUTING 



This spraying of the potato crop by the Irish farmer 

 is largely due to the splendid work done in this con- 

 nection by the Irish Department of Agriculture. There 

 are many features of the Irish Department's work 

 deserving of criticism, but it is not so as regards the 

 spraying and sprouting of potatoes. 



Throughout the length and breadth of Ireland it has 

 been proved very conclusively that by sprouting about 

 2 tons increased yield per statute acre can be obtained, 

 and a similar increase obtained by spraying. This latter 

 has proved to be the case in dry years when potato 

 disease has not been prevalent, for not only does 

 spraying prevent blight, but it gives renewed vigour 

 to the crop, keeping the tops green and growing long 

 after the tops of the unsprayed portion are completely 

 dead. 



A I'UOLLSII ARGUMENT 



The writer has heard the criticism advanced both in 

 England and Ireland that whilst spraying and sprouting 

 i/icroase the potato crop in a most marked manner, the 

 crops following the tubers are better on the unsprayed 

 and unsprouted portion of the field than those on the 



