552 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



same appearance and the same colour in the same variety " — on 

 condition, of course, that the tuber has not been exposed, either 

 before or during the growth of the shoot, for any length of time to 

 the influence of light. 



Culture* -When grown in the open ground, Potatoes are 

 usually planted in April, in holes or pockets at a distance from one 

 another of from i6 in. to 2 ft., according to the vigour of growth of 

 the variety. Entire tubers of medium size are the best for planting. 

 They should be covered, at the time of planting, with soil to the 

 depth of 4 or 5 in., and the practice is to earth up as soon as the 

 stems have grown to a height of 6 to 8 in., the ground being then 

 also hoed for the second time. The earthing-up is not absolutely 

 necessary, but it has the advantage of causing the tubers to lie 

 closer round the roots of the plant, so that they are more easily 

 taken up. Potatoes ripen, or, at least, become good enough for 

 use, from the beginning of June to the end of October, according 

 to the varieties. When the tubers for planting have been exposed 

 to the influence of light and air, they generally vegetate earlier and 

 more vigorously ; but, in this case, much care must be taken, when 

 planting, not to break off the shoots which have commenced their 

 growth. 



There is some advantage in planting Potatoes in autumn, as the 

 yield is generally somewhat heavier than it would be on the same 

 area and with the same quantity of "seed" Potatoes if planted 

 in spring. On the other hand, there is the danger of the " seed " 

 perishing in the ground in very cold or too damp winters, and, 

 besides, the planting should be done in October or November — 

 a time when there is almost always much to do in the gardens or 

 in the fields. 



Potatoes may be forced under frames on a hot-bed of greater 

 or less strength. Forcing may be commenced in December or 

 January, and monthly plantings in the hot-beds may be continued 

 up to the middle of March. The Alarjolm Potato, which has very 

 scanty leaves, is chiefly employed for this purpose. New forced 

 Potatoes may be taken up in two and a half or three months after 

 planting. 



The culture of the Potato in the United Kingdom is so very 

 extensive, and differs so much according to the district and the aim 

 of the growers, that we have not space to do justice to it here. We 

 therefore refer the reader to a small and handy book in which the 

 culture in all its phases is carefully described, viz. Fremlin's "Potato> 

 in Farm and Garden," and the London market-garden culture is 

 fully treated of in Shaw's " London Market-Gardens." 



Uses. — The tubers, either young or ripe, are eaten as a table 

 vegetable. They are also used for feeding cattle and for the 

 manufacture of starch and alcohol.t 



* See also pp. 769, 770. t Spraying, see p. 771. Sprouting the Seed- 

 Tubers, see pp. 771, 772. Diseases of Potato, see pp. 778, 780. 



