52 



PR.VCTICE OF GARDE XIXG. 



March, or early in April ; afc the time of planting, the 

 ground should be left rough and cloddy to protect the 

 crop from cold winds. In case of a frosty night occurring 

 afterwards, the hoar frost must be carefully thawed off 

 by watering the plants over the tops from the rose of a 

 watering-pot, before (not after) sun-rise. 



The curl, a disease that puckers the leaves, is often 

 injurious to potatoes, but no remedy is known. It is said 

 to be caused by a grub in the root ; and, in this case, the 

 application of a small quantity of lime at the time of 

 l^lanting, will certainly assist in preventing it, besides 

 which it will have a tendency to preserve the sets from 

 rotting. That more extensive and more mysterious 

 visitation which has lately been experienced has hitherto 

 yielded to none of the appliances of art. But as it seldom 

 shows itself much before August or September, it is most 

 important to get the tubers well formed, and at least 

 partially matured before that time. Fresh land, that is 

 of a light nature, and thoroughly well drained, and not 

 shaded by trees, or much manured, is undoubtedly the 

 safest. Some prefer pulling up the stems directly the 

 disease begins to show itself ; but this does not appear of 

 much value. 



Potatoes should always be planted in moderately dry 

 weather, if possible ; as, when the season at which they 

 are planted happens to be wet, they almost invariably 

 rot, and this is one great cause of failure. 



Sets cut with a single eye, mature their crop a fortnight 

 sooner than those cut with two or more eyes, though the 

 latter is by far the safest practice, as the eyes sometimes 

 prove abortive, and where there is more than one they 

 are not so liable to rot. It is better to cut the set? a 

 few days previous to planting, as the wounds will then 

 become healed before they are brought in contact with 

 the damp soil, and this also will tend to prevent them 

 from rotting ; a circumstance so lamentably destructive 

 of potato crops. After being taken from the ground, 

 potatoes should be spread out in a dry shed for a few 

 weeks, in order to get properly dried ; and be frequently 

 turned over, to pick out the diseased tubers ; care being 

 taken to prevent them from drying too much or shrivellmg. 



