POTATO GROWING IN ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS
DIG FOR VICTORY LEAFLET No. 15 (Page 4 of 4)
Early Cultivation
During the period of active growth, land should be hoed and kept free from weeds. If there is danger of frost just when the growths appear, they should be lightly covered with soil.
The first earthing-up of the plants may be undertaken when they are some 6 in. high, and further soil should be drawn up to form a ridge about three weeks later. Earthing-up helps to keep the haulms upright, and prevents the tubers being exposed to light.
Incidentally, a good covering of soil over the tubers is of protective value to them in case of an outbreak of Blight on the foliage. This will not obviate the necessity for spraying with Burgundy or Bordeaux mixtures, which is, of course, the main precautionary measure to be taken against attacks of Blight.
Further information on Blight and on the preparation of Burgundy and Bordeaux Mixtures in small quantities is given in “Dig for Victory” Leaflet No. 17.
Burgundy and Bordeaux mixtures were the standard remedy for blight for well over a century. They were even organically approved. However, they are no longer listed and so not available to buy made up today.
Colorado beetle has been kept out of the UK so far and sightings should still be notified to the authorities.
Throughout the growing season a watch should be kept for adults or grubs of the Colorado Beetle (see Advisory Leaflet No. 71). If any suspects are discovered, specimens should be forwarded immediately to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Plant Pathological Laboratory, Milton Road, Harpenden, Herts., and no other steps taken until instructions are received from the Ministry.
‘DIG FOR VICTORY’ LEAFLETS
1. VEGETABLE PRODUCTION (WITH CROPPING PLAN).
2. ONIONS, LEEKS, SHALLOTS, GARLIC.
3. STORING VEGETABLES FOR WINTER USE.
4. PEAS AND BEANS.
5. CABBAGES AND RELATED CROPS.
7. MANURE FROM GARDEN RUBBISH (COMPOST HEAP).
13. STORING POTATOES FOR FOOD AND SEED.
16. PESTS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.
18. BETTER FRUIT: DISEASE CONTROL IN PRIVATE GARDENS.
COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED—FREE OF CHARGE—FROM THE ADDRESS BELOW
Issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hotel Lindum — St. Annes -on- Sea — Lancashire.
August 1942
