E 252 } 



LETTER XV. 



ALTHOUGH, the writer of this letter ob- 

 ferves, it is generally believed, that taking up po- 

 tatoes, intended for the next year's fet, too foon, is 

 z principal caufe of the curled difeafe, he has his 

 doubts refpecfling it^ having let fome remain in 

 the ground all winter, and vegetate the following 

 fpring, fome of them were curled, and others not, 

 in like manner as thofe fets proved which he took 

 up and planted as ufual. This, therefore, he infers, 

 cannot be the principal caufe. The old white 

 rough, and the kidney potatoes, are as fubje6l to 

 this difeafe as the reft. Red potatoes of moft kind^ 

 are feldom affedled with it. 



LETTER XVL 



OF late years, this writer fay<:, great improve- 

 ments have been made in fetting potatoes, and 

 cutting the fets. The ground is drelTed cleaner 

 and dunged ftronger. Many people in drilling 

 wrap up the fets entirely in the dung j by which 

 means, though their potatoes are larger^ the dif- 

 eafe feems to be increafed. They alfo cut rheir 

 fets out of the richeft and largeft potatoes, which 

 h perhaps another caufe of this evil. In cold 

 countries, where they fet their own feed, which has 



grown 



