64 EXrEr.IMENTS MADE IN THE GARDEN OF THE SOCIETY 



more tliaii seven times the quawtity of sound tubers produced by 

 the rows on each side. Such being the fact, it becomes desirable 

 to explain tlie method adopted, by some extracts from a pamphlet 

 entitled 'Treatise on a Method of Managing the Potato Tiant, 

 with a view to Saving the Present Crop from the Ravages 

 of the Disease ; being the Substance of a Communication 

 made before the President and Comicil of the Royal Society 

 of Agriculture of England. By II. L. Meyer.' This autlior 

 says — 



" I propose a method of protection, which, I think, may be 

 equally effective against any one of the above-mentioned causes 

 of the disease, whether animal, vegetable, atmospheric, or 

 electric. I propose to cover up the plant with the readiest 

 material at hand,— namely, the soil it grows in. The manner 

 in which this must be done is, by laying down the haulm, and 

 covering it over with earth from the root to within a few inches 

 of the extremity, leaving only the tips of the plant exposed to 

 the benefits of light and air. 



" A field, when thus treated, presents to view a succession of 

 ridges of earth and valleys ; the ridges contain the potatoes and 

 the stems of the plants earthed over, and in tiie valleys or 

 furrows lie securely the tips of tlie foliage. Should the injurious 

 blight occur wliile the field remains in this state, the tops of the 

 plants are greatly sheltered from its influence by the ridges of 

 earth they lie between. Nothing further will be required but to 

 watch the field, and continue to cover up the haulms from time 

 to time, so as to keep only the tips exposed. 



" The process thus described should be immediately put in 

 practice, instead of the usual method of ' earthing up,' and while 

 the stems of the plant are still pliant and manageable. This 

 simple process will not require any outlay, and in point of labour 

 only stands in the place of tlie usual method of earthing up. . . . 

 The best way of putting this mode in practice is, by laying down 

 the haulms with the hand, and afterwards covering them with 

 the earth that lies between the rows. 



" The earlier the plant can be attended to, as I have proposed, 

 the less it is liable to receive tlie germ or inoculation of the 

 infection ; but owing to the present advanced state of the plant, 

 it may be advisable to administer lime or some other purifying 

 substance before covering the haulm. 



" It is desirable to lay the stems down in a direction away 

 from the east, as much towards the south-west as possible, 

 because it is from the east that blights of all descriptions appear 

 to originate. 



" The usual manner of planting potatoes being in rows only 

 sufficiently apart to allow room for the underground shoots and 



