THE POTATO. 29 



was found that from six to eight bushels, if planted in hills, 

 answered better than more : for, when too much seed was 

 used, there were many small tubers ; and where the tubers 

 had been divided into very small parts, or single eyes, the 

 plants were more feeble, and the yield less in number and 

 weight, though usually of larger size. 



Methods of Planting and Cultivation. Potatoes are usu- 

 ally planted either in hills or ridges, the former method be- 

 ing the more common in this country. If planted in hills, 

 they should be made from three feet to three and a half 

 apart, the distance to be regulated by the habit of the va- 

 riety under cultivation. If in ridges or drills, they may be 

 made from two and a half to three feet apart ; although 

 some of the earlier and smaller kinds may be successfully 

 grown at eighteen or twenty inches. 



Of sets formed by dividing a tuber f medium size into 

 four parts, three may be allowed to a hill : if planted in 

 drills, sets of this size should be placed ten inches apart. 

 On light, warm soil, they require to be covered nearly four 

 inches deep ; but in cold, wet situations, two and a half or 

 three inches will be sufficient. 



Cultivation. This should be commenced as soon as the 

 young shoots are fairly above the surface* As the season 

 advances, gather the earth gradually about the hills or along 

 the drills, adding a little at each successive hoeing for the 

 support of the growing plants, and to encourage the devel- 

 opment of the side-roots ; for it is at the extremities of these 

 that the tubers are formed. After the appearance of the i 

 blossoms, cultivation should be discontinued ; and no further' 

 attention will be required till the time for harvesting. 



Forcing. This should be commenced from three to four 

 weeks before the season for planting in the open ground. 

 The earliest varieties should be chosen for the purpose, se- 

 lecting whole tubers of medium size, and placing them close 

 together, in a single layer, among half-decayed leaves or 

 very light loam, on the surface of a moderate hot-bed. 



