The Potato in Jersey. 
137 
moment arrives for planting it can, if required, be forced ; but 
it is not often that any forcing is required, the eyes will break 
out into vigorous shoots, and when they are fully developed, say 
about half an inch in length, the tubers may be planted, taking 
care to place the shoots uppermost. In this manner one month 
at least may be gained in bringing the potato out of ground. The 
preparation of the sets must be viewed as of primary importance, 
taking care always to select plants of good and of early habit ; 
this, together with a suitable and well- manured piece of ground, 
<brms in fact the only secret in the culture of the early potato. 
The planting commences in January, and is usually all 
finished by the end of the next month. The next operation is 
the forking-up, or loosening of the ground between the rows ; 
tliis is performed when the plants are fairly out of ground, either 
with the prong, the crook, or with a small implement in the 
form of a horse-hoe, usually drawn by two men. The soil being 
thus well opened, if not checked by frosts, which unfortunately 
is sometimes the case, the plants will grow quickly, so that by 
the middle of April they are all hoed up. In the early sheltered 
places some are much more forward, while in the later ground 
others are less. The first lot of any importance is usually sent 
up to the London markets about the end of April. As time 
advances the business rapidly increases, so that by the end of 
May, or the commencement of June, in ordinary years great 
activity prevails in connection with this trade. There is no 
season throughout the year in which the farmer is so busy as 
during the sale of his early potatoes. A day is frequently of the 
greatest importance in the market value of the goods, and there- 
fore no sooner do they approach maturity than all hands are fork 
in hand at the work. Many consign their produce to salesmen 
in London ; the goods are packed in baskets or barrels, and 
forwarded by the steam-vessels which daily ply between this 
island and the English ports, and thence on by railway to their 
destination. Others sell to the merchants here, who also export 
in the same manner, but on a larger scale. These, with the rest 
of the community, have the advantage, by means of telegraphic 
communication, of knowing hourly, if necessary, the state of the 
London markets. 
So much said respecting the time, the mode of culture, and 
the sale of the potato, let us look back at the fields whence the 
potatoes have been dug, and see what is there being done. 
Another crop is being sown to follow. It may be, if on a piece 
of ground which was cleared off early, that a late crop of 
potatoes is being set ; this certainly is only the exception, the 
rule is to have a succeeding crop of either swedes, mangolds, or 
turnips ; we have also seen barley sown, but rarely with advan- 
