30 



THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



time to ripen before frost. There are many dangers from late planting, chief of 

 which are: (1) Late blight; (2) injury from early frost. 



Depth of Planting. The depth to plant varies with conditions. Very deep 

 planting is open to objection because of the increased labour of harvesting and the 



Fig. 22. Typical Jersey Royal potatoes (original). 



danger of a poor stand when weather conditions are unfavourable. Very shallow 

 planting reduces the yield and injures the quality of the crop. The most suitable 

 depth for planting depends somewhat on the character of the soil and 1 upon the 

 method of cultivation. If the soil is warm and fairly moist the potatoes should be 

 planted deeper than if it is cold and wet. Therefore early potatoes should be 

 planted shallower than late potatoes. In unirrigated land potatoes should be planted 

 deeper than in irrigated land. The best depth for planting potatoes is from 3 to G 

 inches. 





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Fig. 23. A suitable potato-cultivator (photo by A. Ingrams). 



Cultural Methods after Planting. Harrowing of the land may begin as soon as 

 necessary after seed is planted. The common drag-harrow or weeder may be run 

 over the land at least twice before cultivation of the rows commences. Some 

 damage may be done to the crop by harrowing the potatoes before they are up, but 



