] 16 Cultivation of Arable Land. Potatoes. Taking up of Crops of. 



furrows have been removed, it is ufual to turn over the part that principally con 

 tains the potatoes by hand labour with a three-pronged fork.* 



In whichever way the crop is taken up, the haulm or ftems fhould firft be cut 

 efFclofe by the furface of the ground, or pulled up and removed from the land. 

 Where the crop is taken up by hand-labour, one perfon will generally be fuffi- 

 cient for picking up the potatoes ; but in taking them up by means of the plough, 

 the number muft be increafed according to the circumftances of the crop, always 

 being fufficient to keep up with the plough, otherwife there xvill be great lofs in 

 the economy of time from the team occafionally remaining unemployed. 



Some likewiie recommend the land to be once or twice harrowed over after 

 wards, in order to bring fuch potatoes as may have efcaped the pickers to the 

 fur face. -f 



The annexed plate contains the reprefentation of a harrow contrived by Mr. 

 Young, for the purpofe of preventing the great labour and expenfe of breaking 

 the furrow flices in taking up crops of this fort by the plough : it is worked by a 

 man and horfe. The curved iron flides againft the unploughed land, at the bot 

 tom of the open furrow, and thereby keeps the teeth diagonally placed, to avoid 

 driving the earth in heaps in their work. In friable foils three teeth may be em 

 ployed, but in ftifFer ones only two. It is a tool that performs its work well, and 

 which has faved in his practice from 175. to 2Os. an acre. 



Ft. In. 



The tfimenfions in Fig. i. are from i to 2 5 8 



i to 3 4 6 

 4 to 5 2 6 

 4 to 5 o 5 

 4 to 6 o 5 

 7 to 8 i 9 

 Plate 9 o 3 broad. 

 Do. o oi thick. 

 10 to ii o 5? 

 Do. breadth of the iron o 3 

 In the curve o 7 

 Breadth of curved iron 03 



12 to 13 ftraightline acrofs. 



Iff accomplifhing this work, it is of much advantage to feparate the fmall and 

 bruifed from the middling and large potatoes. It is likewife of confequence to 



* Modern Agriculture, vol. II. and Lancafhire Report. t Experienced Farmer, vol. I, 



