THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



sowing the seeds thinly in large pots or boxes that are well- 

 drained, and filled with a compost of three parts good fibrous 

 loam and one part leaf- mould or well-decayed manure. As 

 the seedlings germinate they should be kept close to the glass, 

 to prevent their becoming drawn and to induce a sturdy habit. 

 A temperature of 45deg. to 55deg. should be maintained, and 

 air be admitted on all favourable occasions. As the plants 

 advance in growth they should be supported with short, twiggy 

 shoots, and be given diluted liquid manure about once a week, 

 taking care not to over-feed. The dwarf-growing varieties are 

 the most suitable for growing in pots or boxes — Chelsea Gem, 

 Improved Gem, William Hurst, American Wonder, and other 

 dwarf sorts are excellent. Outside crops are forwarded con- 

 siderably by sowing seeds of early varieties on turves or in 

 boxes in February in heat. These are gradually hardened off 

 in cold frames, and then planted out on a warm border and 

 staked at once, as the stakes afford a certain amount of 

 protection, not only from the weather, but also from birds. 



Potatoes. — Although Potatoes are sometimes forced early 

 in pots, they are seldom worth the trouble unless a few 

 very early dishes are required. The more usual methoei 

 is to make up a gentle hot-bed in frames, round which a 

 flow-and-return hot-water pipe runs. On the top of the litter 

 or manure forming the hot-bed is placed a layer of fine 

 sandy soil, in which plenty of leaf-mould has been incor- 

 porated, the layer being about 6in. deep. In this the 

 Potato "sets," or tubers, are planted in lines about i5in. apart 

 between the rows, and 9in. apart in the rows, an early variety 

 that produces a short top being selected for the purpose. A 

 good watering is given if the soil is at all dry, and a temperature 

 of about 55deg. maintained. Whenever the weather is favourable 

 air is admitted, the object being to get strong, sturdy plants in 

 robust health. Some growers add a little compost to the plants, 

 in fact, earth them up slightly ; but, after trying earthing and 

 non-earthing, we found absolutely no difference in the size of the 

 tubers or weight of the crop. Care in watering is necessary to 

 prevent undue dryness or moisture at the roots, the grower, as 

 far as possible, striving for the happy medium. When the tops 

 begin to lose their greenness, it indicates that the crop is 

 maturing, and more air and less moisture are desirable to improve 

 the flavour of the Potatoes. If the first beds are made up and 

 planted early in January, and at intervals afterwards according to 

 requirements, a supply for special occasions may be relied upon 

 from the end of February onwards. The following varieties are 

 all white, short in the haulm, and have proved valuable for 

 forcing purposes : Harbinger, New Early Frame, Early Short-Top, 

 Early Bird, and the old Early Ashleaf. There is little to choose 

 between these five varieties for size of tuber and weight of crop, 



