THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 3

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

EARLY POTATO CROP.

P.v F.S.K.

There is 110 reason why the amateur should not attempt the culture of an early crop of potatoes. The produce from this crop will be especially welcome in the spring, as the cjuantity in store is not very great owing to the almost complete failure of the main crop in (he past season. For an early crop to have a chance of success it, is necessary that the conditions for the development, of the plants be as favourable as possible. The preparations should be carried out in a. thorough manner and in good time. Another essential is that the sets used for the early planting should be sprouted, as the unsprouted tubers do not receive much encouragement to start into growth in the middle of the winter, as is desired.

Early potatoes are subject to frostbite, and it is not much use attempting to grow them in a position that is exposed to severe frosts. A little frost does not affect them too badly, but they cannot withstand the cold conditions that provail in some districts. A district that is fairly well elevated is not likely to experience such heavy frosts as a place that is in a hollow. Preparing the Ground. The soil should be worked to as great a depth as possible by means of the spade and fork and reduced to a fine tilth. A well-aerated soil will be much warmer in the winter than a plot that is not given the same cultural treatment. After the plot has been broken in it should be left until the sets arc ready to bo planted.

In the meantime t!ie sets should be sprouted by placing them in shallow boxes. \\ hen procuring the ' seed" tubers one should select varieties that take the shortest period in which to mature. Among this number are included the following kinds:—Robin Adair, Early Puritan, Gold Coin and New Era. These are the most suitable kinds to grow as early potatoes.

The food for the potato crop is provided by means of fertilisers, chiefly, if the soil is in normal "good heart." If it is thought that the ground is deficient in the ordinary foods that 'are found in it, the incorporation of a quantity of compost should be carried out. Only a little of this material should be used, however, or the plants will make too much growth of foliage, but with no corresponding increase in the tubers. In fact, rather the opposito will result, and the actual crop will be adversely affected by the rampant growth.

Choice ol Fertiliser. For the early potato crop the choice of fertiliser should be governed chiefly by the fact that the maturity is desired to be hastened as much as possible. The element phosphorus has the power to speed up the maturity of any crop, and the most soluble form of this should be chosen for the potatoes. This is found in superphosphate. The addition of a quantity of sulphate of potash (1 part to 4 of super), should be beneficial, and the mixture may be applied at the rate of up to 4oz. per square yard. The fertiliser should be applied to the drills just before the sets are planted. It should be stirred into the soil in the bottoms of the drills, and this ensures that it is handy for the roots ot the plants. The drills should not bo very deep at this time of the year, as the ground is cold and wet and the tubers should not be put more than about 2in. deep in the soil. The time for planting the early crop of potatoes extends from almost immediately until tho end of July.

Flanting in Warm Weather. If it is at all possible a, warm day should be chosen for the planting of the tubers, and the drills should be opened in the morning and allowed to warm for several hours. The sets may be placed in their positions early, so they also may be warmed. The drills should be filled in about three o clock, before the sun loses its warmth. The distance to allow between the drills varies according to the condition of the soil, but the usual space is in the vicinity of 28in. The sets themselves should be planted about 15in. apart, but the distance ranges from 12in. to 18in. They should be placed carefully in ,the drills and the soil should be drawn over them with equal care so that the sprouts are nofc damaged. As often as the state of the soil will permit one-should fork over the ground between the rows, to keep it open and warm. The earthing-up that is usual with the potato crop should be attended to also, whenever it becomes necessary. This should be commenced when the plants are about 6in. high.

Protection From Frost. Where the potatoes are grown out in the open it, will be necessary,to protect them from frost. The protection given is not so much protection from the frost, but is directed to spoil the effect of the frost. Tho danger in frost lies in the thaw, this stage being the coolest. One might not think that when the frost is meltinc it is coolest, but this is so. The for this is that when it is melting the frost takes tho heat atoms from anything within reach, and thus lowers tho temperature of tho surrounding objects. , • i • The. plants on which the frost is lying are "bitten" at this time, and so anything that, will alleviate the effect of the thaw should be done. Rapid thawing is (he most detrimental, as it takes the greatest amount of the heat from the plant, whereas in slow thawing the majority of the heat atoms arc gained from the surrounding atmosphere the best method of reducing tho effect ol tho frost.'is to wash it off the plants n the morning before the sun beg l " s shine. Although this may not bo entirely effective it will great.ly reduce the ."frost-bite."