176 



GARDEN STEPS 





nourishment from the air, in the form of nitrogen. 

 If the leaves are damaged, the plant suffers ; if 

 they are hurt very much, the plant dies. The to- 

 mato, which looks so much like the potato, does not 



care a bit how many leaves 

 are taken off. It will 

 cheerfully send out new 

 ones and keep on growing 

 fruit. The potato foliage, 

 however, must be care- 

 fully guarded until the 

 season is over. 



Cultivation. — It has 

 been the custom to gather 

 a hill of earth about the 

 plants, as the potatoes 

 grow. If the season is 

 wet, this is a good plan, 

 especially if the soil is 

 damp where the potatoes 

 are planted. But where 

 the soil is well drained 

 and mellow, it is more 

 convenient to keep the 

 rows flat, so that the wheel harrow can be run 

 through them easily. In August, it is well to draw 

 a little earth about the plants, and let them ripen. 

 Deep hoeing and cultivating should be completed 

 before blossoms appear on- the vines, for these -give 



Humus Stays in the Soil 



These potatoes are planted across 

 the slope, and hilled only an inch or 

 two. The level cultivation keeps the 

 soil soft and porous, holding all 

 moisture. 



