136 THE AMATEUR* S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
weather and continuous sunshine but little is heard of disease ; 
but if when the crop is nearly matured cold wet weather 
should set in, the disease appears and spreads quickly, unless 
arrested by the return of hot dry weather, tor the sunshine 
the plant loves is a deadly foe to its enemies. The practical 
lessons of the facts known in relation to disease comprise early 
planting, planting above ground or on tiles, early lilting, and 
the selection, so far as may be convenient, of early sorts. As 
we must have late as well as early sorts, the selection in 
reference to earliness cannot be carried beyond a certain point. 
Nevertheless, early sorts might be much more extensively used 
than they are at present for autumn and early winter supply. 
Early Potatoes may be raised with very rough appliances 
in the shape of old frames, thatched hurdles, and other means 
of protection. In any and every case the protective agency 
should also serve as a trap to catch a sunbeam. To grow 
potatoes well in frames is rather a troublesome business. In 
first-class frame culture, operations commence in November, 
but in a majority of gardens it will suffice to begin in January 
or February. In either case the routine is the same. A pit 
or frame is the most suitable structure, because the haulm can 
be kept near the glass, and be fully exposed to the light, and 
enjoy a free circulation of air. A heated pit is not absolutely 
required, although, in the case of the crop planted in Novem- 
ber, the hot-w r ater pipes will be useful in assisting to keep out 
the frost, but too much artificial heat at any stage will be 
injurious, as it will promote the too rapid production of 
haulm. Good crops may be obtained from unheated pits, as, 
with the assistance of mats and dry litter, there will not be 
much difficulty in keeping out the frost. In any case, the 
best results will be obtained by making up a bed of leaves in 
the pit or frame, and then covering it with a layer of soil in 
which to plant the sets. The leaves should be moderately 
dry, and be trodden firm, to prevent their sinking very much 
after the soil is put on. Where leaves cannot be obtained, 
stable manure may be employed instead, but it is apt to heat 
too violently at first, and then become cold. With leaves 
there is no danger of overheating, and they may, therefore, be 
covered wfith soil immediately after they are made up into a 
bed. With reference to the preparation of the soil, it may 
be said that it should be rather light and rather rich. Any 
good light soil will do very well after it has been incorporated 
