MODE OF PLANTING, &c. 43 



strong and vigorous plants than if they had been placed 

 carelessly in the soil. On examining a sprouting "set/' 

 it will be seen that the young stem and the roots proceed 

 from the same point (the germ). If this be placed upper- 

 most the young roots have to find their way over the 

 mass before they can reach the soil in which their special 

 functions are to be exercised, while the stem is pushing its 

 way unimpeded upwards to the surface. Now, as it is far 

 more important that the root-development should be first 

 secured, and should precede that of the stem, it is better 

 to place the germ in that position which will secure to the 

 roots immediate access to the soil, and leave the young 

 stem to find its way to the surface as it best can. It may 

 be a day or two longer in making its appearance above 

 the ground, but it will be a stouter and more vigorous 

 plant, and generally give a better produce than if these 

 little matters in planting had been neglected. Where the 

 manure has been applied in the autumn, the land is 

 merely laid up in ridges at the required distances apart, 

 and the sets or tubers are dibbled in by the hand, and de- 

 posited at a depth of about 3 inches from the surface. 

 Machines have also been constructed for this purpose. 

 Their principle of action is very similar to that of the 

 ordinary sowing machines, but the irregularity of shape 

 and of size of the "sets" presents greater difficulties than the 

 seed-depositing machines have to encounter. 



As soon as the young plants are first perceived breaking 

 through the surface, it is a good practice to run a light set 

 of harrows, the seed-harrows for instance, along the drills; 

 this assists their growth very much, especially if the surface 

 has been battered down by rain and wind since the plant- 

 ing. As soon as they have advanced a little in growth, and 

 are about 6 inches high, the horse-hoes should be sent in 

 between the rows the first favourable opportunity, and the 

 ground well stirred and cleaned. These should be followed, 



