THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 133 
prived of the full influence upon it of air and light. Many a 
field of potatoes goes to ruin through the plant being over- 
crowded, so that if disease appears, it runs through the whole 
mass like wild-fire ; whereas if the plant had been well exposed 
to light and air, it would to some extent have resisted the 
fungus, and a profitable crop might have been lifted. As the 
varieties differ in growth, so must the distances differ ; but 
the maximum distance required will pay better than the 
minimum; so the proper way to conclude this remark is to 
advise the fullest possible exposure of the plant to the life- 
giving air and sunshine. 
The second remark on planting that should come in here is 
to the effect that when the object of the cultivator is simply 
to obtain store potatoes of the finest quality, he should plant 
the late potatoes early, and the early potatoes late. The 
philosophy of the remark will be understood without the aid 
of argument. The early sorts begin to grow so soon after 
planting that they are in danger of injury from frost ; but the 
late sorts move slowly, and early planting does not usually 
expose them to frost. So far as to the beginning of the 
business; now let us look to the end. When lifting time 
comes, the early sorts planted late will be ripe and ready be- 
fore there is much risk of disease, and the late ones planted 
early will, in all probability be ready also, and the sooner 
they are out of the ground the better. On dry lands potatoes 
may be advantageously planted in trenches opened by the 
spade or, as above described, in trenches made for the purpose 
in getting the land ready. They should be four to six inches 
deep at least, and have two hoeings up in the course of the 
season, to keep dowm weeds, to aerate and fertilize the soil, 
and to ensure the tubers being v T ell covered ; for if they grow 
out and become green, they will be only fit for seed, for green 
potatoes are poisonous to man and beast. It must be ad- 
mitted, however, that if the sets are planted six to nine inches 
deep nothing more need be done in the way of cultivation, 
for in a. good season there will be a good crop, and a small 
proportion of greened tubers will not materially deteriorate 
its value. If a casting vote be required, we vote for earthing 
up : it is a tidy way, and good for the ground as well as the 
growing crop, for every time the soil is knocked about some- 
thing is added to its fertility. 
Planting on Tiles is a plan followed here as a means of 
