PUOCKKDIXGS. XIX 



From Mrs. Whatman, F.H.S., Vinters, ^Maidstone, came 

 two specimens of a large fine-looking seedling Apple. 

 Specimens of four kinds of Potatoes, the produce of single 

 seeds, were again exhibited by E. Lawford, Esq., of Eden 

 Park, Beckenham. Tliey had been raised respectively 

 from seeds sent from Mussooree (on the Himalaj^an moun- 

 tains), Baden, and Warwickshire, and sown in January, 

 February, and March of the year 1847, in pans filled 

 with a compost of decomposed vegetables and a small por- 

 tion of sandy loam, and placed in a vinery. In a short 

 time the seeds began to vegetate ; and when the plants 

 were fairly up, sprinklings of water were administered oc- 

 casionally, and air given at every convenient opportunitj'. 

 When the plants had acquired sufficient size anil strength 

 they were pricked out in pans, and afterwards jwtted off 

 in 3-inch pots, and nurtured up till they were fit to be 

 removed into pits made of turf, which were previously 

 prepared for them, about 24 feet in length by 5 feet 6 

 inches in width, 3 feet high at the back, and 1 foot 10 

 inches in front. Temporary plates and braces were pro- 

 vided and placed on the pits, and frames made and covered 

 with felt. This being done, the pots containing the plants 

 were placed in the pits on cinder ashes, and air was given 

 as often as the weather would permit. The plants there be- 

 came properly inured to the climate. A piece of land in 

 one of the fields was prepared by frequent deep plough- 

 ings during winter, and properly pulverised, and after- 

 wards thrown up into ridges about 3 feet from each other ; 

 a quantity of leaf-mould and about one-fourth part of farm- 

 yard manure, with a small portion of quick-lime, well 

 incorporated together, was placed between tlie ridges, and 

 the plants turned out of the pots \\ ith their balls entire in 

 the beginning of June, and were gradually earthed up, as 

 required, in the usual manner. In taking up the different 

 kinds, Mr. Lawford stated that many of the principal tubers 

 were much diseased, and particularly the part-; nearest the 

 surface. 



When it is recollected that the produce of a single seed 

 weighed 4 lbs. 9 oz., the inference derivable from this 

 experiment is, that a crop of potatoes equally good as one 

 raised from sets may be obtained from seed in the first year 

 by this mode of treatment ; and it does not appear that the 

 seeds must be sown unusually early ; for good-sized tubers, 

 though not equal to the above, obtained from seedssown as late 

 as May, were shown by R. Wrench, Esq., of London Bridge. 

 These latter consisted of three sorts, two from Baden and one 



VOL. III. c 



