354 Description of a Machine for the [May, 



In some respects it seems an improvement, as it keeps much longer, 

 and it rises and becomes very light and agreeable when toasted. 

 Upon the second question, I shall be able to show satisfactorily that 

 the flour of potatoes can be produced at a cheaper price than the 

 flour of wheat. All objection, therefore, to its use in bread, is not 

 only removed, but I conceive the most important advantages will 

 flow from its adoption. In the specimens before you one-tifth of the 

 farina is the smallest proportion made use of, and two-thirds of 

 farina and boiled potatoes together, when in bread, the largest ; 

 calculating, however, that no greater proportion than one-fifth 

 should be generally introduced, the saving of wheaten flour alone, 

 from that circtmistance, would be immense. The population of 

 Great Britain consists, according to the latest returns, of upwards 

 of twelve millions and a half, and of this number it may be con- 

 jectured that about ten millions consume wheaten bread. Each 

 individual's consumption has been considered equal to a quarter of 

 wheat per annum. The introduction of potatoe flour, therefore, 

 generally, would produce a saving of two millions of quarters of 

 wheat per annum ; and instead of being, as we now are, an im- 

 porting nation, we should, after supplying our present deficiency, 

 have a suri)lus of about 1,500,000 quarters for exportation, which, 

 at the present permitted export price, under 5'is. per quarter, would 

 be equal in value to four millions sterling ! That this surplus would 

 not be obtained without some sacrifice of other crops, I am ready to 

 admit; but when the increased productiveness of the potatoe is 

 considered, when it is calculated that large tracts of land may be 

 cultivated upon this system that would nut be cultivated upon any 

 other, and that the plan may be generally adopted, which prevails 

 universally in Ireland, and has the recommendation of distinguished 

 agriculturists in this countr^', of making the potatoe crop precede 

 the crop of wheat, the sacrifices would upon the whole be few, and 

 theadvantagcs immense. I know that objections exist from Jhe 

 scarcity of manure, &.c. but I am satisfied that many of them would 

 yield in practice. The poor Irish contrive to manure the land, and 

 to produce crops that serve to form the winter supply of the city of 

 Dublin, in situations distant from cities, and where artificial manure 

 is not to be had; lime, sand, or sea-weed, are all excellent, and 

 are in many places easily procured ; the burning of the surface in 

 rough uncultivated land is almost sure to produce a large crop, and 

 is generally one of the first, as it is found one of the best prepara- 

 tives to cultivation. The manure from hogs has been stated to afford 

 very great returns ; and as it is almost essential to the economical 

 pursuit of the business of manufacturing tlic potatoes into flour that 

 many hogs should be kept, for the purpose of consuming the skins, 

 refuse, &c. it is a manorc that would be abundant in those places 

 where the manufacture was introduced. Perhaps no situations 

 would so strongly feel the benefit of this system as those which are 

 reinote from sea-ports, and distant from water-carriage. The 

 ground is now necessarily employed in pasture, or it remains waste. 



