172 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [chap. vi. 
by dividing the root into what are called 
sets, with an eye in each; but sometimes 
the tubers are planted whole. Seeds are 
never used, except where it is wished to 
raise new sorts. Potatoes are seldom good 
forced; but an early crop may be raised by 
planting the sets in October. The principal 
early crop is, however, planted early in 
March; and the principal late crop in May 
or June. When the potatoes are to be 
planted, the ground should be first well 
pulverized, and then, the garden-line being 
stretched across the beds, holes should be 
made along it with the dibber from two to 
four or five inches deep, and about a foot 
apart. The sets should then be put one in 
each hole, with the eye upwards, and the 
earth pressed firmly down on each. When 
the potatoes come up, they should be hoed, 
and again in about a fortnight or three 
weeks; and when the plants are eight or ten 
inches high, they should be carefully earthed 
up. As soon as the plants go into blossom, 
some cultivators cut off the tops, to prevent 
the roots from being exhausted by the form¬ 
ation of the potatoe apples, or fruit. When the 
