MISCELLANEOUS MEMOPwYNDA. 233 



to the far side of the trench, and the second or under spading 

 to the near side, and in this way top and bottom will lie side 

 by side. 



For the successful cultivation of the potato I am convinced 

 that more depends on the condition of the soil than on the appli- 

 cation of manure. It is not until the land is drained and pul- 

 verised to a certain depth that it has the ability of developing its 

 powers. Moreover it is not until it is placed in this condition 

 tliat free ingress is permitted to the carbonaceous and ammoniacal 

 gases of the atmosphere. No sooner is tlie stagnant water 

 drained off, and the soil opened up, than fertilizing gases flow in. 

 This is one of the many ways by which Providence rewards the 

 industry of man. 



The cultivation of the potato is very simple. I plant in 

 February or Marcli, according to the state of the weather, in 

 shallow drills, running from north to south, drawing the earth 

 well over them. As the ground becomes solidified by wet wea- 

 ther after planting, I take the first opportunity of dry weather 

 and frosty mornings to fork the ground over between tlie drills. 

 By this process the soil will become in fine condition for earthing 

 up the plants, which should be done in good time. 



Some allow the ground to become covered with weeds, which 

 exclude the sun's influence ; and in the operation of hoeing many 

 of tlie roots of the potatoes are cut, by which their growth is 

 checked — a circumstance which always increases tlieir liability 

 to disease. It is scarcely necessary to say that the potato should 

 be taken up and stored as soon as it is ripe, more especially if 

 there be any appearance of wet weather. If diseased it should 

 be stored in dry eartli, sand, or similar material. 



I do not say that the practice I have pointed out is a complete 

 safeguard against all disease ; but whoever follows it may look 

 forward with a great degree of confidence botli to " seed time" 

 and " harvest," and he need not be troubled with tliose imaginary 

 terrors which haunt men who trust to quack preparations for the 

 cure of animal or vegetable debility. 



XXV. — Miscellaneous Memoranda. By Robert Thompson. 



In the Great Exhibition in 1851 was to be seen the follow- 

 ing :— 



" A Circular Earthenware Enclosure and Support, for the 

 Fruit and Foliage of the Strawberry Plant, Mliereby the blos- 

 soms and fruit are pi'otected from the blemishes produced by 

 the ravages of the slug, also free from grit from tlie effects of 

 rain. The material of wliich the pan is manufactured, together 



