100 Cultivation of Earl tj Potatoes. 



A few years ago this objection might have had some force, but 

 since the importation of guano, and the manufacture of many 

 valuable artificial manures brought to light through chemical 

 science, it is futile — for experience has proved that these artificial 

 manures are equally beneficial with the muscles, &c., and indeed 

 are now extensively employed. 



There are, however, two advantages in favour of this locality 

 which are not general — first, the low level above the sea, and, 

 secondly, the sandy gravelly soil. 



The great drawback to the cultivation of the early potato is 

 the injury inflicted by the' severity of spring frosts. But these 

 are less severe by the sea-coast than inland. Even at a distance 

 of four miles it has been observed that the frost has been A^ery 

 sharp, whilst by the sea-coast there has been little or none. 

 Consequently, the plants have been much injured inland, whilst 

 they have escaped with little or no injury along the sea-shore. 

 So, again, there is the local advantage of a suitable soil ; for here 

 it may be remarked, that potatoes growing upon liard land, or a 

 sandy loam, for instance, Avill escape the frost, whilst the next 

 field, moss or clay, will be cut down. 



It would then appear that there is great uncertainty Avith 

 regard to the value of the produce ; and so there is, but tlie un- 

 certainty is whether you realise 50/. or 70/. per acre. Those 

 potatoes are only planted which are known to recover quickly 

 from the effects of the frost. Indeed, we can scarcely remember 

 a year in which the potatoes have not been cut down once or 

 twice when one or two inches out of the ground. After such a 

 catastrophe there is a general lamentation, " Fair frozzen clean 

 to t' ground ; waint be Avorrth a farding." But the knowing ones 

 take it very quietly, for they know that the frost will have been 

 more severe inland, and that others must have suffered more, so 

 that in the end they will be rather gainers than losers. 



It is, however, strange how little known the kinds of potato 

 are which are here so profital^ly cultivated. In other districts we 

 have found the ash-leaved kidney in high favour. They have 

 been tried here, and are found by no means equal to the " lemon 

 kidney," which is equal in production to the ash-leaf, earlier in 

 forwardness, and far superior in flavour and quality. There is 

 always a great difficulty in obtaining good seed. Genuine seed 

 commands a high price, and not without reason, for the growers 

 take the greatest pains in cultivating the seed for their next year's 

 crop; for example, they set not tlie small refuse which is gene- 

 rally done, but select equal well-shaped tubers as smooth as 

 pebbles, and as soon as any one shows njloicer it is immedi- 

 ately eradicated. A flower to an early potato is considered a 

 sign of deterioration, the first symptom of growing out ; it being 



