The Cultivation of Vegetables 55 
CHAPTER V 
The Cultivation of Vegetables 
THE POTATO 
The Potato is the most important of all our vegetable 
crops. It is seldom raised from seed, unless new varieties 
are required. Tubers are used (popularly, but erroneously, 
known as seed). These are enlarged underground stems, 
composed of thin-walled cells, which are filled with food 
substances, principally starch. These tubers are eaten as 
food. The first potatoes introduced into Britain were 
brought from Virginia in 1585, and planted near Cork, 
in Ireland. Vast improvements have been made in the 
quality of the Potato, and we have now not only many 
varieties to choose from, but also Potatoes suitable for 
early, midseason, or late crops. 
The earliest kinds may be planted in warm soils as 
early as February, but this can only be done in places 
which are free from spring frosts, or where protection 
can be afforded on the appearance of frost. In all but 
these favoured places March will be early enough for 
planting tubers, and in some districts liable to late 
spring frosts, they should not be planted till the end of 
' March. 
There are several methods of planting, either drilling, 
planting with the dibber, or with the spade. Now the 
Potato must have plenty of air at the roots, therefore 
the method that allows most air to get into the ground 
is undoubtedly the best. 
