214 VEGETABLES. 



The potato is of easy culture, but it cannot be successfully- 

 grown for exhibition in every kind of soil. Certain varieties 

 grow well in a moist situation, but the majority produce the 

 best tubers in a dry soil. A light mellow loam, comparatively 

 free from iron, and well mixed with leaf-soil, is most suitable 

 for the production of clean well-shaped tubers. 



To secure late potatoes for early autumn shows, it is neces- 

 sary to start the sets in heat in the middle of February, placing 

 some of the best-formed medium-sized tubers into shallow boxes 

 amongst leaf-soil. As soon as they have grown an inch, they 

 should be removed to a cold frame and placed near the glass 

 to harden off. The soil having been well broken up and in 

 a workable condition, they should be planted out in the middle 

 of March. Lift them out of the boxes with as much soil 

 attached to the roots as possible, and place them in shallow 

 furrows from two to three feet apart, and one foot to one foot 

 four inches between the sets, according to their habit of growth. 

 All the shoots should be removed from the sets at planting 

 except the strongest one. A little fine soil should be placed ■ 

 round the sets in the drill, then cover them to a depth of four 

 inches. Potatoes should not be planted deep, because the best 

 tubers are invariabl}' those nearest the surface. When the 

 tops appear above grovind, a little earth should be drawn over 

 them for protection. The hoe and fork should be often applied 

 between the drills whilst the potatoes are young, as the more 

 they receive in this way, especially in adhesive soil, the better 

 will be the crop. Previovis to earthing up, a dressing should be 

 given of some inorganic manure recommended for the potato, it 

 being more beneficial to them than quantities of rank farm-yard 

 manure. The soil should be drawn well up to the stems when 

 they are finally earthed iip, and all blooms picked off as they 

 appear. 



Care should be exercised when lifting the crop to prevent 

 injury to the skin of the tubers. The best specimens should 

 be picked out as they are lifted and set apart, and in the final 

 selection for exhibition, those of equal size, form, and good ap- 

 pearance should be chosen ; and after being carefully washed, 

 they should be rolled in soft paper and kept from the light. 



