An excellent plan applied to all soils, is to spread a mulching of barn yard manure 
on the surface or around the plants, after the last hoeing or cultivating. This will pre- 
vent the soil from baking and permit the small fiber roots to come near the surface. 
The above general rules may be varied as experience may suggest. 
PLANTING. 
Having prepared the soil, await the proper time for planting. This should not be 
done when the soil is wet. In planting tubers, lay the tuber in a horizontal position, as 
mdicated in figure 1 . Cover to a depth of 4 or 5 inches, pressing the soil firmly over the 
tubers. This permits the new growth to at once begin the formation of new roots, which 
are to become the tubers for the next year. Thus a new stalk and new tubers will be 
formed. These new roots will take firm hold of the soil and keep the plant in proper 
position, a condition not possible when planted as indicated in figure 2, where it will be 
FIG. 1. TUBER PLANTED IN PROPER POSITION. NO. 2. TUBER PLANTED IN IMPROPER POSITION. 
seen the germ or sprouting end of the tuber is at or near the surface of the ground, which 
will not permit of new root acticn there. Nature, however, will provide roots and they 
will start from the lower end of the tuber. (See illustration) . The result will be a new 
stalk, drawing ils strength through an old tuber, which nature will begin to form as near 
as possible into the fibery growth of a stalk. This condition will seriously handicap the 
plant for its best work, and the tuber formed, will of course, be blind and of no value. 
If green plants (those grown from cuttings), are to be set. the process is simple. 
Set the plants about four inches deep, pressing the soil gently around the roots, or ball of 
earth, if the plant is turned from a pot. If the soil is somewhat dry, use one quart of 
water to each plant, then cover the wet surface with a little dry soil. Green plants should 
be shaded for a day or two, if the weather is clear. 
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