Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/108

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as they appear above ground, give frequent and deep hoeings, drawing earth carefully to the stems as they advance in growth. We assuredly detest the appearance of a weed among this crop, and frequently mourn and almost weep over fields of the rankest weeds where the undergrowth is potatoes. What can be expected from such slovenly husbandry—gardening we will not call it. The crop is thereby injured in quality and quantity, and not only that, but frequently disease ensues, which is attributed to the Potato degenerating. What an idea! Degenerate! no, never! All seeds, not only of this vegetable, but of every other, should be changed every three years at farthest; and we would change the kind of soil, or the Potato for seed, every two years. A change from light soil to heavy, or the reverse, will tend to benefit the quality, and if this cannot be effected, change with some of your distant friends, or make purchase from other States. We have said that early Potatoes should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked, which is from the 1st to the 20th of March. A few may then be planted in a very sheltered place, where they would not be much exposed to late frosts. The main crop should be planted about the 15th to the end of April. If left till a later period, they are very liable to be affected by the droughts of Summer, and take on an Autumn growth, which invariably injures the quality of the tuber. The maturity of the crop is readily known by the whitening of the stems, though they are fit for the table before that period. As soon as they are what is termed half-grown, a few may be lifted for use. Those intended for seed are considered better adapted for the purpose if they are not perfectly ripe, yet I doubt if this opinion is confirmed by experience. Writers on this subject too frequently reiterate the expressions of their predecessors. This is very observable among writers on horticultural and agricultural subjects. The experience of Abercrombie, Speechly and Knight is retailed as new matter for the present age, (advanced in every other science,) and is admitted as being as undeniable