CULTIVATION. 109 



this advantage is rather dearly purchased when sets have 

 to be bought, the usual price varying fk)m 16s. to 24s. 

 per 1,000. 



When planted on the square system, 4i ft. x 4 ft. apart,, 

 one set in each hole makes a total of about 2,270 per acre, 

 which would cost about 36s. to 54s. If planted two sets 

 in a hole, the number required would be 4,540, and the cost 

 72s. to 108s. per acre; and with three sets per hole the expense 

 would be correspondingly increased. Assuming now that 

 10 per cent, of the sets die^a high enough estimate for 

 cuttings of any pretensions to quality — the total number 

 required for single setting an acre of ground would be 

 2,270 + 230 = 2,500, equivalent to an outlay of 40s. to 60s. 

 per acre. Of course a bed would have to be set apart for 

 planting out the reserve sets for filling up, but this does 

 not entail any great expense, since, allowing a space of 12 

 inches square for each set, the 230 sets would only occupy 

 an area of as many feet square ; and as the plants are only 

 destined for temporary sojourn no particular preparation 

 of the ground is required. Moreover the cost of labour in 

 replacing defective sets is a small item in comparison with 

 the saving effected in the purchase of sets for double 

 planting. 



Thus 4,540 sets per acre (two in a hole) cost 72s. to 

 108s., whereas 2,270 + 230 = 2,500 per acre only cost 40s. 

 to 60s. ; the extra expense of double planting being therefore 

 32s. to 48s. per acre. 



Although the objection may be urged that where re- 

 planting has to be done the plants are liable to be irregular,, 

 it may nevertheless be justly replied that, according to- 

 experience, the initial small differences are rapidly equalised 

 and almost cease to be noticeable in the second yea*;, 

 consequently there is no need for any great anxiety on 

 this account. 



