EARTHING-UP POTATOES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1401, 14 May 1868, Page 5

EARTHING-UP POTATOES.

To the Editor of the Herald. gut,—Some years ago 1 stated that deep-planted potatoes were less liable to be attacked by tho worm than those planted shallow, and experience has proved the statement to fce correct. But still it does not entirely preserve tho tubers, as the present system of earthing-up affords an easy access for the moth, and consequently the tubers formed on the ridges are frequently attacked. From observations made, I concluded, perhaps erroneously, that the moth never penetrates the soil perpendicularly, but always horizontally. Acting on this belief, I determined to grow my potatoes on tho flat, that is, not to earth them up; and have adopted the practice for the last four or five years with perfect satisfaction. On lifting my crop thi3 season, some small tubers were thrown aside, and left on the surface for a few days. These became filled with the worm, while the crop itself was perfectly clean, thus showing that tho moth, though abundant on the surface, did not penetrate deep into the soil. The courje pursued is simply as follows:—the tubers, general!-' whole, are planted seven or eight inches deep ; tL • manure, of whatever description, is placed immediu ..ly over the seed; it is then covered over, and allow od to remain undisturbed until the tubers are ready for taking up. Though not prepared to state, with the Cottage Gardener, that growing on the flat increases the weight of the crop, experience haß convinced me that it does not decrease it.—Yours, &c, H. J. Hawkins. Stokes' Point, North Shore, May 8, 1868. ■ *