THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



205 



are ready to set out. An astonishing growth will result during the first two 

 or three weeks. 



A well-enriched sandy loam is best suited to the raising of Potatoes, 

 though they may be successfully grown in any good, well-drained garden 

 soil. Prepare the ground ih the same way as for general crops. Planting 

 should begin as* early in the Spring as the ground can be worked. Late 

 or main crop Potatoes are planted in May or early June. The row or trench 

 method is decidedly the best and most economical for the ordinary home 

 garden. Dig a trench 5 to 7 in. deep. Apply a good dressing of well-rotted 

 stable manure or fertilizer. Cover with two inches of soil, upon which set 

 the seed Potatoes 12 to 15 in. apart. Then finally cover with soil to a depth 

 of 3 to 4 in. The distance between the rows should be 2 to 3 ft. Work up 

 the soil about the plants when they have made a good growth. To keep the 

 ground clear of weeds and at the same time conserve the moisture, cultiva- 

 tion should be maintained throughout the growing season. The hand hoe 

 is the most convenient tool to use in this operation. 



When the vines die off the Potatoes are ready for harvesting, which 

 should be done in fine, dry weather, and completed before the advent of 

 frost or very cold weather. Cold rains cause Potatoes to become sodden and 

 of inferior quality. Potatoes soon become green and unsuitable for table 

 use if they are allowed to lie exposed to the sun after digging. Store 

 them in a darkened, dry, well-ventilated, frost-proof cellar that has a 

 relatively low and even temperature. 



To make sure of success it will be necessary to protect the Potato plants 

 from early and late bhght and the Colorado beetle, known as the Potato 

 bug. Saving the vines 

 means saving the Pota- 

 toes. Every ten days 

 or two weeks after the 

 foliage has well devel- 

 oped, spray with Paris 

 Green or Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, to which arsenate 

 of lead has been added; 

 this combination spray, 

 while combating insect 

 pests, is effective as 

 a preventive of disease. 

 Careful watch must be 

 kept for all insect troub- 

 les, and particularly 

 for the aphis, which, un- 

 checked, will ruin a crop 

 in less than a week. 

 Use a nicotine solution 

 for aphis. Consult also 

 Insect Chapter. 



Potato tuber, considerably reduced 



S, stem end, or end to which it was attached to the 

 parent plant the previous season. F, the so-called 

 flowering or growing end ; here there are usually too 

 many buds or eyes — several of these had better be 

 scooped out before planting. The lines show how this 

 particular tuber may be cut up for planting, but the 

 eyes vary in each ^and every tuber 



