494 
The distance apart at which the sets should 
be placed depends on the soil, the situation as 
regards exposure to light, and the sort planted. 
According to these circumstances, the rows ought 
to be from 15 to 30 inches apart. Generally, 
the distance of the rows from each other should 
be equal to the height of the stems. Hence, 
those which grow only 1 foot high would be 
1 foot apart, and those which attain the height | 
As | 
regards exposure to light, this is a good rule; 
but rows only 1 foot apart do not admit of | 
of 3 feet would be that distance apart. 
being properly earthed up, and this cons-dera- 
tion must not be overlooked. If soil be taken 
from between the rows to form the ridge in 
earthing up, it can scarcely be done properly it 
the rows are only 1 foot apart. Sufficient earth 
could be introduced between the rows from 
alleys or adjoining spaces left for the purpose, 
but it is better to make the rows not less than 
15 inches apart, even for dwarf early sorts. 
Those which are somewhat stronger growing, 
and later, may be allowed 18 inches between 
the rows, or 21 inches if the soil is rich and 
the situation not fully exposed to light. In 
light soil 2 feet for second early crops may be 
considered sufficient. For the general crop, 
2 to 3 feet between the rows have been found 
good distances, as they admit of the plant 
being earthed up on a good principle. The 
stronger growers being found the best disease 
resisters are rightly more extensively planted 
in rich garden soils than formerly; they are 
also preferred for field culture. 
The distance between the sets in the rows 
also should be regulated by the nature of the— 
soil and the variety. In rich soil, of course, 
more space should be allowed than in poor; 
and considerably more for vigorous-growing 
sorts than for those with small dwarf stems. 
The distance may vary from 6 to 12 inches. 
The less distance will be proper for the dwarf 
sorts, the greater for the strong-growing ones. 
In general, 8 inches from centre to centre of 
the sets will be found a very good distance for 
garden crops. In the case of very strong-growing 
kinds it cannot be denied that quite as much 
produce may be obtained at 12 or 15 inches 
apart in the rows as at 8 inches; but when the 
plants have much space, they are apt to pro-_ 
duce tubers varying greatly in size, some of the | 
first formation being too large, while those of a 
later production are too small. In neither case 
are the tubers so good as when there is a more 
equal crop; and it should therefore be the aim 
to obtain a crop of this description. 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
If a sort is naturally inclined to grow too 
large, it is well to plant it rather closely in the 
row; and it is better to do this than to limit 
the distance between the rows. It is much 
better to have the rows 27 inches apart and 
the sets 8 inches asunder, than to have the 
rows 24 inches apart and the sets 9 inches from 
each other; and this, again, is preferable to 
rows 18 inches asunder and sets 12 inches from 
each other. In either of these ways the same 
number of sets will be required to plant a rod 
of ground; but there is, in the greater distance 
between the rows and the less distance between 
the sets, a double advantage: first, as regards 
the labour in planting, and, secondly, ina greater 
space for earthing up being afforded. When 
planted at the distance of 27 inches from row 
to row, the number of trenches required to be 
cut out is one-third less than when the rows 
are 18 inches apart; and when planting by the. 
dibber is adopted, one-third more ground has 
to be traversed. The advantages in earthing 
up will be noticed when that operation comes 
to be considered. : 
A proper depth for the sets is 6 inches. This 
is shown by the following particulars of an 
experiment on the effects of different depths of 
planting :—A piece of ground was divided into 
four equal parts, and planted with Potato sets 
in the second week in April, at the respective 
depths of 3, 4, 6, and 9 inches. The results 
computed for an acre are as follows :— 
Depth. Produce. 
Ins. tons. cwts. Ibs. 
Be ats Ge faa state eee ee 18 ° 0. oe 
Bis, Eee os ed GR ee 14° 1] 8 
2 RMP ARS. ey ME AO 3 14 11 4 
De Re Aalto Oe ae eee 13° 0 et 
The greatest produce was from the plantation 
6 inches deep; and next to it, from that at 4 
inches. Those planted only 3 inches deep gave 
the least return. Many of the sets buried 
9 inches did not vegetate, or at least failed 
to reach the surface. 
Shallow planting is recommended for cold 
low-lying positions and heavy soils. In the 
latter case, laying the sets quite on the surface 
and heavily moulding over has been proved 
preferable to the practice of planting in drills. 
As a precaution against frost, autumn-planted 
Potatoes should be planted fully 7 inches deep; 
or the rows should be covered with leaves, fern, 
litter, or other protecting material. 
Potatoes are planted in various ways; but 
the modes usually adopted in gardens are in 
trenches cut out by the spade or digging-fork, 
