30 ON THE AGEICULTUEE OF THE 



small in size. Tlie seed tubers are not cut long before they are 

 wanted, inasmuch as the germinating powers are liable to be 

 either impaired or entirely destroyed, by this procedure. A few 

 weeks after planting, the drills are harrowed down to check the 

 first or spring braird of weeds. When the potatoes are sulfi- 

 ciently through, a good hoeing is given, and between the drills 

 the grubber and stitch-harrow are used as required. Previous to 

 the final earthing up, which should always, if possible, be done 

 when the soil is damp, many top-dress with 3 cwts. of artificial 

 manure sown broadcast, which acts very beneficially in the for- 

 mation of tubers. It will thus be seen that, independently of 

 rent of land, cost of seed, working, and other incidental expenses, 

 the potato crop is a very expensive one. In-purchased farm- 

 yard manure costs about 8s. 6d. per ton, and before it can be 

 laid on, generally entails Is. 6d. more for carriage, thus bring- 

 ing the price up to 10s. on application. A dressing of 20 tons 

 at 10s., costs L.IO ; 4 cwt. of artificial at 10s., L.2 ; and, say 2 

 cwt. for top-dressing, L.l ; making an aggregate manurial 

 expenditure of L.13. This is only a low estimate, yet a very 

 high figure. Still, as liberal manuring is essential to heavy 

 cropping, there is no economy in limiting the supplies. Con- 

 siderable losses are sometimes experienced from the crops being 

 attacked by the malady which thirty years ago first created 

 such wide-spread consternation throughout the British Islands. 

 A fine crop in bygone times usually realised L.30 per acre when 

 sold to dealers, but of late the prices have been much reduced. 

 Ordinary value now rarely exceeds L.20 to L.2 5 per acre, some- 

 times less, so that, taking the risk of the crop and the expenses 

 attending its culture into consideration, there is not a wide margin 

 left for profit. An extra crop, however, still occasionally realises 

 L.30 and upwards. A large proportion of the tubers grown in 

 both Edinburgh and Linlithgow are sold to dealers who reside in 

 Dunbar. The crop is lifted solely at the buyer's expense, the 

 farmer furnishing the horse work only. These dealers carry on 

 an extensive trade, some of them buying as far as L.20,000 worth 

 in a single season. Lifting commences with the Dalmahoys about 

 the beginning of July, or sometimes in the latter part of June. 

 These are sent off to Edinburgh and other towns in baskets, 

 w^here they command a good price. A few farmers pit all their 

 later varieties in preference to selling to dealers, consigning to 

 London or disposing of as best they can throughout the winter 

 and spring. In October the general crop is lifted and stored, the 

 whole being finished before Martinmas. The raising of the 

 tubers entails a heavy expenditure. One pmctice is to throw 

 them out with a plough specially constructed; another is 

 to raise by the digger, but this implement is not yet in general 

 use; while, perhaps, the most satisfactory method adopted is 



