THE POTATO in 



an inch in length the tubers may be planted singly in 

 nine-inch pots, three inches deep in soil, that is, one 

 half turfy loam, the rest being leaf mould and old 

 hot-bed manure. If planted in boxes nine inches wide 

 inside, and ten inches deep, having bottom drainage, 

 use similar soil and plant nine inches apart. If in a 

 frame on warm manure or heated by hot-water pipes, 

 plant each way twelve inches apart, as the top growth 

 will be strong. Gentle forcing of this nature, for 

 only a moderate warmth is needful, may begin in 

 January and continue until the Potatoes can be dug 

 in cold frames or in warm outside borders. When 

 these tubers are well and firmly sprouted, plant six 

 inches deep at the end of February, using when plant- 

 ing plenty of leaf soil. The rows may be twenty 

 inches apart, and the plants at a distance of twelve 

 inches in the rows. It is well to erect over this crop 

 a light wooden frame twelve inches high, over which 

 mats can be cast, and on those place litter or fern 

 during frosty nights, but all such covering should be 

 removed during the daytime. 



Mid-season and Late Varieties. These may be 

 planted during April and May. It is often an ad- 

 vantage to plant the latest first, as the tops take longer 

 to come through the ground. They may be planted 

 six inches deep, whilst mid-season varieties should be 

 only five inches. It should be remembered that well- 

 sprouted tubers have fully three weeks' start over those 

 unsprouted when planted. Good roomy culture, soil 

 well sweetened and pulverised, sound robust seed, and 



