dial. [Goes with STITCH sb.3] trans. To turn up (the ground) in ridges in order to cover or protect the roots of potatoes, etc.; to earth up. (See also quot. 1866.)
1805. Trans. Soc. Arts, XXIII. 31. In June, they were run through with the potatoe harrow, and made quite flat before they could be stitched up again.
1828–32. Webster, Stitch … To form land into ridges. (N. England.)
1866. Brogden, Provinc. Words Lincs., 196. Stitch-up, to plough very deeply.
1899. Cumbld. Gloss., Stitch, to form the ridge on which potatoes or turnips are grown.
