ENCYCLOP.EDIA OF GARDENING. 
phate & 14 1b. of sulphate of potash per sq. rod applied at planting 
time; & 11b. of nitrate of soda per sq. rod applied when 
shoots are 6in. high. (4) Special for heavy damp soils: 9 1b. 
of basic slag & 4 lb. of kainit per sq. rod applied in autumn; & 1 lb. 
of sulphate of ammonia per sq. rod applied when shoots are 6 in. high. 
Sour or old garden soils should also be dressed with 3 bushels of 
fresh lime per sq. rod in Feb. Never plant sets direct on farmyard 
manure in drills. If applied in spring cover slightly with soil. Sea- 
weed an excellent manure if dug in in autumn. “Sets” for planting: 
Best average size, 1} to 2 in. wide & 3 in. long; weight, 2 to 3 oz. 
Larger tubers to be divided into three or four parts, each furnished 
with one good “eye.” Rub cut surfaces of sets in lime and expose 
a few hours before planting. Treatment of sets: Place tubers close 
together on their narrow ends in shallow boxes in a cool, light spot 
early in the year, & allow each tuber to develop two strong shoots 
only, rubbing off all others. Plant early sorts in Feb.; second earlies 
in March; late ones in April. Draw drills Gin. deep on heavy 
& 7 in. deep on light soils. Rows to run N. and §&. if possible, & be 
15 in. apart for first earlies; 2 ft. 6 in. for second earlies; & 3 ft. 6 in. 
for late kinds. Distances apart for early kinds, 6 to 8 in.; 12 in. 
for medium growers; & 18 in. for robust kinds. Never plant with a 
dibble; a bad practice. Fork or stir up soil between rows when shoots 
are 6 in. high; mould up when 6 to 8 in. high. Lift crop when haulm 
assumes a yellowish tinge. Avoid exposing tubers for eating too long 
to the light. Store in clamps in the open air or in cool cellars or 
dark sheds. Tubers for seed store in boxes as above advised in light, 
frost-proof position. Quantities of seed required: } peck for a row 
50 ft. long; 1 bushel for row 250 ft. long. 
CuLruRE 1n Ports: Compost, two parts loam and one part leaf- 
mould. Place one large crock over drainage hole, then add 2in. 
of turf and enough compost to half fill a 10-in. pot. Place one tuber in 
centre and fill pot to rim with soil pressed down moderately firm. 
Place pots in temp. of 55°. Water carefully till shoots appear, then 
keep soil uniformly moist. When shoots are 6in. high fill up remain- 
ing space in pot with compost. Increase temp. to 65°, and feed twice a 
week with liquid manure. Expose plants fully to light. Time to 
plant, Jan. Crop ready for use in April or May. 
CuLTURE IN Framers: Early crops may be grown in frames on hot- 
beds, or without heat. Compost, good loam two parts, well-rotted 
manure or leaf-mould one part, with a little wood ashes and bonemeal 
added. Depth of compost, 1ft. Surface of soil from glass, 1 ft. 
Plant sets 1ft. apart in rows 15in. asunder; tubers 4in. deep. Time 
to plant, Feb. Earth up when 6in. high. Give air when sun 
is shining. Keep soil uniformly moist, using tepid water. Protect 
frames at night in cold weather by means of mats or litter. Crop 
ready for use in May. . ; 
Marxer Cuiture: Soil as for ordinary culture. Manures: 10 
tons of farmyard manure per acre applied in autumn; and 4 ewt. of 
superphosphate, 3 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, & 2 cwt. of sulphate 
of potash per acre applied at planting time. Plant early sorts in 
Feb., second earlies in March, & late ones in April. Distances for 
planting: 12 in. apart in rows 20 in. asunder for early sorts, & later 
sorts 18 in. apart in rows 27 to 30 in. asunder. Hoe or scuffle be- 
tween the rows when the shoots are through the soil, & mould up 
405 
