1070 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



is favourable to the increase of these insects. Dustings of 

 soot when the plants are wet tends to prevent an attack ; while 

 every effort should .be made to keep the crop growing. Another 

 Pea Beetle, Bruchus pisi, attacks the seeds. It is about the 

 size of the Weevil already noted, but black in colour. Much 

 might be done by way of prevention if all seed showing evidence 

 of being "wormed" were kept in hot water at i25deg. Fahr. for 

 an hour or more. Then there is also the objectionable Pea 

 Moth (Grapholitka nebritand), whose pale green larvce are 

 frequently served up with the Peas, and thus vast numbers are 

 destroyed. Little can be done to prevent attack. Thrips, Aphides, 

 Wireworm, Slugs, and Cabbage Moth Caterpillars are all trouble- 

 some. The first two may be kept at bay by means of hot 

 water ; the Slugs and Wireworms must be trapped ; and the 

 caterpillars will have to be hand-picked. 



Potatoes. 



Few vegetables are of such an accommodating nature as 

 regards soil, situation, &c, as the Potato, and for that 

 reason it does not always receive the attention it deserves. 

 Although most soils will grow the tubers more or less well, 

 yet a fine, deeply-worked soil, that has been well manured 

 for a previous crop and dug or ploughed up roughly in the 

 winter, is the best for the production of Potatoes of medium 

 size, good form, and that will cook well when tested (it must 



be acknowledged 

 that really first- 

 class Potatoes are 

 too often spoiled 

 by cooks). For 

 first supplies Har- 

 binger, Ring- 

 leader (Fig. 687), 

 and Improved 

 Ash - leaf Kidney 

 are second to 

 none for quality, 

 cropping, or earli- 

 ness ; they should 

 be planted on a 

 warm border about the middle of March in rows 2oin. apart and 

 1 ft. between the tubers in the rows, drawing soil up to the tops 

 when large enough. On light land Early Puritan and Beauty of 

 Hebron are two early, heavy-cropping sorts, but, as a rule, are 

 more suited for market than for the table. For mid-season re- 

 quirements Sutton's Satisfaction and Sutton's Windsor Castle are 

 splendid varieties ; the tubers are of good size, very handsome, 

 with prominent eyes, abundant 'croppers, of extra good 



Fig. 687.— Ringleader. Potato. 



