PLANTING POTATOES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19388, 24 July 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

PLANTING POTATOES.

PLOTS FOR EARLY USE.. As soon as the weather permits, and the soil is in a good workable condition, no time should be lost in planting a good plot of potatoes for early use, In some of the most favourable situations that, are little subject to frosts, early-planted sets are now well advanced in growth. Although very early planting is always attended with considerable risks, the demand and prices ob-

taiued for early potatoes, is a great inducement to growers having land sufficiently elevated, and open to tho early sun, to try their best to be the first in the market. Even planted now, a warm situation that is* little subject to frosts should be selected, and if the sets have been sprouted as advised some weeks ago, they should be in good condition for planting. For the 'early crops it is essential that tho land is well drained, or naturally of a dry nature, and for this reason the best early crops are usually obtained from comparatively dry soils. SPBOTJTING. For early crops, the sprouting of the sets before planting is important and much better results are obtained, for not only do the paints come up more evenly, but a week or two is gained in their growth, while there is not the same risK of the tubers rotting. In planting sprouted sets, the tops of the shoots should only be slightly covered as the roots need all the warmth tliey can get during the "next two months. Well-earth-ing-up as soon as the plants are well above ground, helps to protect the foliage, while the ridge assists to drain the soil and give warmth to the roots. In manuring it is not advisable j

to place the manure in immediate contact with the sets, but sprinkled so that the roots will derive the greatest benefit from it, and it must be borne in mind that the roots grow from the base of the sprout, not from the bottom of the potatoes.