THE POTATO. 183 
which has been allowed to rot. The potato in its growth 
takes up a great'deal of potash, and hence the great utility 
of ashes as a fertilizer peculiarly adapted to this crop. 
The’ green sand marl of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 
and ‘Virginia, is well known to increase the product of the 
potato, and this it is supposed to do by virtue of the pot- 
ash it contains. A cool climate’ and rather moist soil be- 
ing most favorable to this root, it has been found highly 
advantageous to keep the manure on the top of the pota- 
toes, as this affords protection against’ the heating and dry- 
ing effects of the sun. Where the potatoes have been 
planted, and the ground entirely covered soon afterwards 
with a thin layer of straw or coarse hay, fine crops have 
been produced, although no subsequent cultivation was re- 
sorted to. 
Potatoes are planted sometimes whole, but most fre- 
quently cut into several pieces. Some persons contend 
that the largest sized potatoes should alone be taken for 
planting, others think the medium sized preferable, whilst 
others again believe the very smallest will answer every 
purpose. Those who use the smallest sizes should be care- 
ful to plant them entire, or cut but very little. A large- 
sized potato may be so divided as to make eight sets, whilst 
one of medium size should not’ be divided into more than 
four or six sets. The sets should be laid in the rows with 
the eyes upwards, and about ten inches apart, the rows be- 
ing from eighteen to twenty inches asunder ‘in gardens, but 
wider in lots and fields, where they are worked by the cul- 
tivator and plough. The sets for planting should be cut 
at least a week before they are to go in the ground, and it 
is a good plan to roll them in ground plaster of Paris or 
old slaked lime. 
The culture of the potato should not be repcated upon 
