The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners. 
DANIELS’ SENSATION. 
DANIELS’ SENSATION. From a 
DANIELS’ SENSATION. This grand Main Crop Potato is one of the heaviest-cropping and best varieties we 
have ever grown. It is of a good, robust constitution, the haulm growing about two feet high. The tubers are of good size, 
thick pebble-shape, with very shallow eyes, almost level with the surface ; the skin is white and slightly netted a sure 
indication of good cooking qualities — the flesh being white, mealy, and of the finest texture. Its splendid cropping and good 
culinary qualities, combined with its very handsome appearance, have made this variety a great favourite alike with the cook 
and exhibitor. Seed direct from Scotland. Per 14 lb. 2s. 6d. ; 56 lb. 8s. 6d. ; cwt. 15s. 
HINTS ON POTATO CULTURE. 
Cultivation. — The varieties quoted in our list are the best in cultivation. It is most important that frequent changes of seed should be made, as 
Potatoes deteriorate if repeatedly saved from the same soil and district. For thoso growing for exhibition it is necessary to select varieties which 
are not only handsome in appearance, but also of known good quality for cooking purposes, such as “Duke of York,” “Arran Chief,” “Sensation 
and “The Premier.” For early work, “Duke of York,” the well-known variety introduced by ourselves is still pre-eminent, and the increasing 
demand for this kind proves it3 superiority over all others as a first early. . . , 
Muoh depends upon the selection and treatment of the “ sets ” ; it is therefore necessary to soeure good moderate sized Potatoes which should 
be set up on end in shallow boxes or trays, and allowed to sprout before being planted, as when this is done much advantage is gained both in 
the development of the plants and in the weight of the crops. Potatoes like a good open position in the garden, and the most suitable soil is a medium 
to light ono in a well-drained position ; the ground should bo deeply dug and manured in the Autumn. Where stable manure is available a good dressing 
should be given at the time of planting, placing a layer on tho bottom of the trenches ; well-decayed leaf-mould, or tho remains of an old mushroom 
bed are also excellent for this purpose. _ . , 
When planting it is important that an abundance of room bo left between tho rows and the sets in the row ; allow a distance of two feet between 
rows for the early, and three feet for the late strong-growing sorts, and twelve to eighteen inches between the sets in tho rows. Where the land is 
naturally low and wet it is a capital plan to olovate the rows by forming ridges and so planting tho sets on about a level with tho natural soil ; it is 
also good to keep the surface soil constantly stirred with the hoe until tho earthing up commences. , 
When the young growths begin to push through the soil care must be taken to protect them from the frost by continually earthing up tho soi 
ronnd them (neglect of this has often resulted in tho loss of a complete crop of Early Potatoes), and when it is desired to grow exhibition specimen^ 
only, one haulm should be left to a plant, all the weakest ones being drawn out as they appear. Slight dressings of soot or of “ Norwich Fertilizer 
during the growing season will bo of much advantage. Immediately the growth is completed, the crop should be liftod ; choose line weather for 
the work and store them after having had a few hours’ sun on them. , . . 
Where small quantities only are grown it is much better to store Potatoes in a cool dry place where they can be easily got at, as they are not so liable 
to develop disease as when stored in a pit or trench. 
M- IMPORTANT NOTICE.— Seed Potatoes procured during the Winter and early Spring, when not required for immediate planting, should be 
taken out of the bag or paokage in which they are received and laid out in a dry, airy place protected from frost, or they will begin to 
sprout and a weakly growth will be the result. 
