352 Description of a Machine for the [May, 



more independent is the situation, of tliat country wliith can furnish 

 within itself a full and ample supply of the means of subsistence to 

 its inhabitants. We have long ceased in this country to feel the 

 benefits arising from such a state of independence, and we have 

 diiriii,"- the last 10 or 15 years incurred a very large expenditure in 

 the purchase of foreit,ni corn. This sulject has engaged much of 

 my attention ; and I have endeavoured to devise a plan by which 

 the atjriculture of this country may be improved, a great expendi- 

 ture saved, and a consideraiile reduction of prices effected, by the 

 introduction into bread of an aiticle of known nutritious properties 

 derived from the potatoe. This substance is the farina or flour of 

 that valuable root, which I have tried with advantage to a very great 

 extent, having prtviously gone through a long course of experi- 

 ments on making biead, biscuit, and pastry, from mixtures of raw 

 potatoes, and boiled potatoes and farina, with ditlerent proportions 

 of flour, &c. 



It is well known that poor light soils, unfit for the culture of 

 wheat, and from which only crops of barley or oats have been pro- 

 duced, and of which, in many situations, there are large tracts of 

 land altogether uncultivated, will produce potatoes of excellent 

 quality : two circumstances have, however, hitherto prevented their 

 culture to the desirable extent, namely, the great expense of their 

 carriage in a raw state from the interior parts of the country to a 

 proper market, and their not keeping well more than six months 

 after the crop is gathered. 



These inconveniences I have obviated by the invention of a 

 machine which is now at the Society's house, by which one indivi- 

 dual can grind down 15 hundred weight, or 1 700 lbs. net of pota- 

 toes, into soft pulp in one day, yielding about two hundred weight 

 of farina or flour when dried. 



Bv calculation, the power of a single horse will be equal to the 

 grinding of 22 tons of potatoes per week ; the machine is capable 

 of being applied to any power required. The farina or flour has 

 been known to keep good IJ years ; and it may be afforded so as to 

 yield a fair profit to the farmer and the manufacturer at 3i. per lb. 

 The present price of wheaten flour is about b-]fd. 



It would be tedious now to enter into a long detail of this business 

 by letter ; but my son is in London ; and if he is permitted to 

 attend a Committee of the Society, and to give proofs of the trials 

 I have made, by exhibiting specimens of the bread, flour, and 

 biscuits, and by furnishing such other particulars as may be re- 

 quired, I trust they will perceive the great benefits that may result 

 from this article, and particularly if my communications should 

 merit the sanction of the Society, and be honoured with their 

 approbation. 



Remarks from Mr. Whately on Potatoes. 

 It may not be generally known, but it is capable of the most 



