THE 108 



GARDEN YARD 



the better the yield. Bailey claims that a 

 piece containing too many eyes means too many 

 sprouts contending for that food and each 

 weakening the other in the struggle for its own 

 existence. 



For early potatoes, the only ones that can pay 

 in a small plot, remember five different things: 

 (1) good site and an early soil; (2) land pre- 

 pared either by special plowing the fall before, 

 or by growing late-tilled crops, that the soil may 

 be in good tilth; (3) free use of concentrated, 

 quick-acting fertilizers; (4) early varieties of 

 potatoes; (5) sprouting the sets, so that the 

 short, thick, firm, colored shoots are secured. 

 To secure these, light and a moderate degree of 

 warmth, 40°-50°, is needed. Nothing pays 

 better than sprouting. 



No crop needs spraying more. Unless it is 

 frequently sprayed, it is almost certain to be 

 attacked by the potato bug, the flea-beetle and 

 blight, and the yield cut down. Dry Paris 

 green puffed on while the leaves are damp with 

 dew, ends the troubles of the bug, and Bordeaux 

 mixture can be sprayed for blight. No specific 

 has yet been discovered for the flea-beetle, but 

 it does far less damage where Bordeaux mixture 

 is freely used. I have heard of letting the chick- 

 ens loose on the flea-beetles. 



