THE ELOfJAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
117 
eighteen inches apart in the row. The rows should extend north and 
south, thus allowing the sun to shine freely upon the soil ; for, unless 
sufficient room is afforded for this in planting, their great luxuriance 
of foliage will completely exclude it ; when planted in lines east and 
west, the soil is totally excluded from the rays of the sun, the want of 
which is clearly a matter of great importance. Some recommend 
the tubers to be cut into sets ; I prefer planting them whole, using 
those of middling size only ; doubtless, if the demand be great, then 
divide them by all means, but if no scarcity need be apprehended, 
then use whole tubers. I have always found the latter more produc- 
tive. Plant immediately ; not a day should be lost, as our short 
seasons scarcely admit of sufficient time for the complete maturation 
• ■f the tubers. An intelligent correspondent recommends cutting off 
the stems at three feet from the ground. I should, in this case, 
allow nature to run her course ; and with all plants having tuberous 
roots this course is preferable ; if we wish to make the most of the 
tubers, they should both be allowed to ripen together — the one for 
food, the other for fuel. During the summer, the soil should be well 
worked over with the hoe, keeping it open and free from weeds. 
The crop will be fit for use about the same time that our late 
potatoes come in ; they do not require to be dug up as the potato 
and protected, but may remain in the ground to be taken up as 
required for use ; although, should frost set in. it will be advisable to 
have a supply housed in sand, where they can be easily come at. 
SEED SOWING. 
HIS season of the year will render more appropriate than 
at any other time some observations on what is a most 
important subject, although it may appear to some 
readers too plain and commonplace to need any com- 
ment. As the commonest terms employed in the lan- 
guage of ordinary life are those around which ambiguities aud errors 
are found to cluster, so in all arts and sciences first principles 
demand earnest consideration as the fruitful source of success or 
fail ure. 
Most observant persons must have remarked that in gardening, 
in all its branches, a few scientific rules rationally observed are the 
strongholds of the best cultivators. Let these be understood, and 
after processes are easy ; let them be neglected, and no other 
advantages will compensate for the loss. In March and April all 
the main crops in the fields and gardens are expected to be in the 
ground, and Divine Providence has given to this time a seasonal 
character, adapted expressly to this important end. The temperature 
is raised, the soil is made dry and light by continued winds, while 
frequent showers support the germ until its deeply-struck roots 
make it less dependent on the state of the surface. Contemplating 
this arrangement with docility, we shall imitate it in our little 
April. 
