EARLY POTATOES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 4

EARLY POTATOES

Planters of early potatoes should by this time have liiid the ground thoroughly broken up I" allow the soil |o become well pulverised and sweetened bv i lie t iiue the sel - .'ire ready for plan! irg. For early planting medium -i/.ed set- that require ie> cutting should be selected, us tln re is not Ihe same i isk of losses as when the tubers are huge and require to In cut. It is gcnerallv admitted (ha! for early planting belter results are obtained if I lie sprouts are sprouted before pi.intitig. This is easilv accomplished bv' placing the sets close log, ; her vit ii the crown upward into shallow boxes or I rays, placing Ihe boxes in a dry pliii e. but vv here they huvi the full benelit o| Ihe light. Anot her advan

big,, ~)' sprouting before planting is Unit | iinv weak, spindlv shoots can be dis j .aided. In im case should the sets be | unduly for* cd. as the main object is tu I secure -holt. >turd\ shouts, and as soon hh !hex attain tin im h in height and I have been well hardened they should b. planted. It i.» naturally important thai vi ry early crops should' only be planted in warn: div positions and where there is the least risk of their being injured by frosts. A well elevated position havitn' .'i liorlll-castel'ly aspect and that is exposed to the sun immediately il shows above the horizon, invariably e-up-s -nioiis injury, while in less favourable positions they are badly damaged. The ground should iu even case be thor oughly broken up and brought into line tilth before planting, while in planting, i t.j-, e (,-.,ps of the shoots should only be j lightly coveted as the roots need all the warmth rhev can get during the wet winter months. Keeping fhe plants well earthed up as illcy advance in growth i- of great importance as it assists to drain the soil and adds warmth to the loots. The advantage of sprouting a purl from obtaining a more even growth, as almost, every plant will grow, is thai two or three weeks at least are gained in fhe. growth and development of the I übers than when dormant Sets arc planted, and with far less risk of losses. The success attained will depend hugely upon the way the ground has 1 u treated and fhe condition it is in at the lime, of planting, as well as the position -i In-led I'm the crop. for the early ci.p-. i 'oiupa i .ii iv idy light, dry s.al in \;iri.'il.ilv produces better tubers than those grow n mi stiller laud.