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I do not advocate the adoption of the potato as the chief article of 

 human food ; I wish to see it cultivated as a useful and nutritious veg- 

 etable — its good qualities are appreciated in all parts of the world. 



In advocating early planting, as an important point of defence against 

 the attacks of the rot, I don't wish to be understood as advising the far- 

 mer to plant potatoes 80 early that the potatoes may be in danger of be- 

 ing destroyed by frost. The chief reasons for planting early, are that 

 by this means the tubers are got into the soil before they have been in- 

 jured by sprouting, and the plants will have time enough to grow and 

 come to perfection, before that time arrives when blight generally ap- 

 pears. As to the correct time for planting potatoes, the farmer must 

 be guided by his own experience and observation. 



I have had much experience in the cultivation of the potato, hanng 

 been engaged extensively in fiirming for more than twenty-five years ; 

 my potato crop suffered in common with all others, in the first yeara of 

 the rot; but when by close observation in the field, I was enabled to 

 discover the nature of that disease ; I took steps to counteract the evil, 

 and succeeded in raising crops almost free from every symptoii. of dis- 

 ease. 



Some scientific men were of opinion that the potato was about to be 

 destroyed altogether, and that it was useless to contend against the rot. 

 The experience of the two last years proves this opinion to be incorrect, 

 for the rot has almost disappeared, and there is every likelihood that 

 the potato will be restored to its place among cultivated crops. To 

 assist in bringing about an end so desirable, this essay has been ■written. 

 I respectfully submit it to the consideration of practical men, and if 

 they award to it their approbation, I shall treat with indiflerence the 

 criticisms of those who never raised a crop of potatoes, and are of 

 course ignorant of the subject on which they presume to render judg-. 

 ment. 



History has recorded that the authors of some of the most useful 

 discoveries and inventions have at first been treated with necrlect and 

 indifference, and sometimes have been punished instead of beinw re- 

 warded. When Jacquard, the inventor of the wonderful loom which 

 bears his name, was arrested and carried to Paris, Caruot rudely asked 

 him in the presence of Napoleon, "Are you the fellow who pretends to 

 do that impossibility, tie a knot on a stretched string ?" His compatriots 



