THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES 67 



Potatoes 



Potatoes like a deep loam of moderate friability which 

 has been well manured before winter. For the earliest 

 crop a south border should be chosen, preferably under 

 a wall. Early in March a few tubers may be planted, 

 drills being drawn with a hoe, mattock or light spade, 

 about four or five inches deep and about two feet between 

 the rows. The tubers should be planted at distances 

 of about one foot, though much depends on the variety. 

 The later varieties require more space than the early 

 ones. For earliest crops Myatt's Ashleaf, Ninetyfold, 

 and Sharp's Victor are all good. Midseason varieties 

 should be planted about the middle of April, Windsor 

 Castle, Sutton^s Supreme, and Schoolmaster being among 

 the best. Late varieties should also be planted in April. 

 Among the best of the late varieties are King of the 

 Russets, Up to Date, Magnum Bonum and Bruce. 

 When the plants are about three inches high the first 

 earthing up should take place, and this should be 

 continued at intervals of a fornight until the haulms 

 have grown to a good height. The tubers should not 

 be dug up until the tops are quite dead. They should 

 then be dried by exposure to the sun for two or three 

 days, and stored in a dry place. Examine them 

 frequently in order that any diseased ones may be at 

 once removed. Frost is fatal to potatoes, and it is 

 therefore wise to give the young crop some slight 

 protection until the middle of May by means of a little 

 dry litter placed over them. 



Turnips 



With care Turnips may be had the year through. 

 Small sowings and often should be the rule, although 

 it is no use sowing after May until the early part of 



