Report on the Cultivation of Potatoes. 495 



manuring is left for spring;, the land is ridged or rowed in November or 

 December, as the case may be, immediately after ploughing full depth." 



This practice appears to be general in the district, except that 

 some growers plough 10 or 12 inches deep, instead of 9, in the 

 autumn ; and others dig or cultivate with steam-tackle instead of 

 ploughing with horses. 



From 10 to 15 cwt. of farmyard manure is applied in the 

 autumn, and various quantities (from 3 to 10 cwt.) of artificial 

 manure in the rows at the time of planting ; but Mr. W. 

 Coulman, of Eastoft Hall, Goole, does not apply more than 5 

 tons of manure (partly in the autumn and partly at the time of 

 planting) and 6 cwt. of Peruvian guano. He says that he has 

 had good crops from guano alone. 



The quantity of potatoes planted is generally from 10 to 15 

 cwt. per acre, but Mr. Burton plants from 14 to 21 cwt., accord- 

 ing to the sizes of setts and varieties. They are got in as early as 

 possible, but the time of planting extends from the beginning of 

 February to the end of April, according to the season. As a 

 rule the tubers are planted whole, and this practice has become 

 more common than it was formerly. Large-sized setts, especially 

 when purchased from Scotland, which therefore cannot be ex- 

 changed for smaller tubers, are necessarily cut. The rows are 

 from 27 to 30 inches wide, and the setts 10 to 15 inches apart, 

 according to the luxuriance of the haulm of the different varieties, 

 but Mr. Coulman prefers to have the rows 34 inches wide and 

 the setts closer together — about 9 inches apart. 



Very little additional information is given with regard to the 

 potato-disease ; but Mr. W. Smith states, in reference to the 

 liability of certain sorts to be attacked : — 



" I have found the Red-skin Flour-ball and Early Rose the least affected 

 by potato-disease, but poor in quality. The Fluke and White Rock stand next 

 in order. The York Regent and Paterson's Victoria have generally suffered 

 the most, especially the Victorias." 



With regard to large- and small-sized setts, one grower 

 prefers them of a medium size, three think there is no difference, 

 and the filth, Mr. VV. Smith, remarks : — 



" I have never planted very large setts. T prefer a medium size ; but I may 

 say that the best crop of York Regents I ever saw was grown from very small 

 seed ; and the best Regents I had last season were grown from very small 

 setts, saved from a crop that was gathered and sent to market in the month 

 of August, when the crop was in a growing state, and quite six weeks before 

 they were ripe." 



As to the practicability of arresting the spread of the disease, 

 Mr. Smith states : — 



" I believe that pulling up or cutting off the tops on the first appearance 

 of the disease does diminish its extent, but I am of opinion that it also greatly 



