272 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



level the top of tlie riclge, covering seed, straw and all 

 with earth ; then cart on straw scattering it evenly 

 eighteen inches deep; two feet will be better. The winter 

 rains will beat down the straw compactly; decomposition 

 commencing in the straw in the furrow, and in that next 

 the ground, the potato sprouts force their way up 

 tlirough the straw, and should an untimely frost nip the 

 tops, the tubers are not affected by it as when in the 

 ground, the tops will push jip through the straw, and 

 eventually cover the whole patch Avith their dark green 

 foliage. The evenness of temperature with the moisture 

 of the decomposing straw, will keep the potatoes always 

 mealy. In the dryest season the yield will be greater 

 than when planted in the ordinary way, and when once 

 planted, it is an end of culture until they are taken out 

 for the table. The same piece of ground will improve in 

 productiveness for years as the straw decompos-es. Many 

 have failed in this mode of culture from the fact that they 

 have not applied half straw enough." 



But good as the above mode undoubtedly is, many of 

 us cannot get the straw required for this manner of culture, 

 while Ave are not disposed to do Avithout Irish potatoes. All 

 Ave can do is to incorporate with the soil abundance of A^egeta- 

 I le matter of any kind we can get, and plant the early crop in 

 J anuary, and the main crop the last of February, laying off 

 the ground in deep furrows or trenches tAvo and a quarter 

 feet apart ; in these depositing a good sprinkling of lime, char- 

 coal, leached ashes, and bone-dust, or such of these as can 

 be obtained. On this the cut potatoes are to be laid at 

 eight inches apart, as above. If on each set a teaspoonful 

 of gypsum or plaster of Paris be sprinkled, the yield will 

 be very much increased. The seed is better, if cut a few 

 days before planting and spread out to dry. Large pota 



