128 ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE POTATO. 



what the consequence woiikl be if blight in the potato plant 

 again swept the land as in 1845-46 ? 



ThouG:h the nev\' seecllino;s that have been raised have not 

 been exempt from disease, there is no evidence to show that the 

 apples gathered for the purpose of raising the new stock were 

 the product of sound plants. Quite the opposite. If the 

 argument holds good that the seeds of disease are in the plant 

 ready to be developed, Are the plums free from disease ? I say- 

 no ; but if the process of cultivating new kinds is carried out, 

 it must, and will, result in the production of fresh and strong 

 stock. 



I suppose that every person is aware that light soils produce 

 better-flavoured potatoes than those grown on clayey soils ; for 

 the soil has an influence whatever maybe the variety, and those 

 grown on land previously manured in the autumn are finer 

 flavoured than those planted in immediate contact with, the 

 dung in the drills. 



Manuring in the autumn is one of the best methods to adopt, 

 with a top-dressing of wood ash, or ashes from pairing and 

 burning ; they supply a valuable potash, the food of the plant. 



The Americans burn quantities of timber for black ash and 

 potash, and which forms a very valuable article of commerce. 

 Seaweed is also freely used where it can be had. 



As potato possesses a spreading root, it requires a uniform 

 manuring, not an instantaneous supply of soluble matter. The 

 esculent being produced and perfected during the latter period 

 of the growth of the plant, it wants the greatest anwunt of 

 nourishment at that time for the development of the tubers. 



What invigorating substance, and in what quantity it should 

 be used, is a most diflicult question to answer, particularly as 

 manure in all cases acts more quickly on plants when it is well 

 prepared. 



In an economical point of view the safest and best manure 

 for potato is that which contains plenty of azote, and does not 

 decompose too quickly. The following will be found to be a 

 good mixture for potato manure :^-4 cwt. of mineral super- 

 phosphate, 2 cwt. of muriate of potash, and 2 cwt, of sulphate 

 of ammonia per statute acre. This is suitable for light soils. 

 In the case of heavy soils, 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda takes the 

 place of the same quantity of sulphate of ammonia. These 

 manures are mixed with tv/ice their weight of finely-screened 

 earth, and sown broadcast before planting the potatoes. The 

 above will give fully as good returns as 20 tons of farm-yard 

 manure. 



Had farm-yard manure been other than a compound contain- 

 ing all the ingredients of the produce raised on the farm, many 

 more potato failures might have occurred. These ingredients 



