196 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



plants may be started in hotbeds or protected places and trans- 

 planted when the weather is warm enough. The distance, 

 soils, and culture are similar to^those mentioned for egg-plant. 



Potato. — The common white or Irish potato is recom- 

 mended for use in school gardens because of the lessons to be 

 learned in growing it. Experiments showing the principles 

 of plant growth and plant breeding may be carried on best 

 with the potato. The soil for potatoes should be of a medium 

 or light loamy character. It should be well supplied with an 

 abundance of available plant-food, rich in nitrogen, phosphoric 

 acid and potash. The plowing should be very deep to allow 

 the roots to penetrate the soil well. The pieces of seed potato 

 may be dropped in drills and covered to a depth of three or 

 four inches below the level surface. The distance apart may 

 be from twelve to sixteen inches, according to the number of 

 eyes on the piece. The distance between . rows should be 

 two. and a half to three feet, to allow of easy horse cultivation. 

 Tillage should be frequent and the surface kept level or nearly 

 so. A good plan is to cut the pieces to leave about three eyes 

 on each. The seed potatoes should be treated with a prepara- 

 tion of formalin before planting (see exercise explaining the 

 method) . The best method ' of selecting' seed potatoes is 

 described in another chapter. (See exercise under this title.) 



For the school garden a very early variety may be started 

 as early as the ground can be worked. Early Rose, Early 

 Six Weeks, Early Triumph, Bovee, and Irish Cobbler are 

 among the earliest. After the pieces are cut they may be 

 sprouted in a light, warm room for a few days to hasten the 

 growth after planting. 



Before the school closes in the , spring, the main crop 

 potatoes may be planted, and if the garden is cared for by 

 some one during the summer, the late crop may be harvested 

 after school opens in the fall. This plan adds more interest 

 to the school garden work. Eural New Yorker No. 2, Sir 



