&amp;gt;Q Cultivation of Arable Land. Potatoes. Prefervation of Crops of. 



: v upon the earthy coat with ftraw in the manner of corn flacks, as by fuch 

 , ins the danger of froft and moifture is more effectually guarded againft.* In 

 : ition to thefe, where this method is followed, it is alfo probably ufeful to have 

 rccourfe to fome of the other materials befides ftraw for forming the internal coats 

 or coverings for the potatoes. And as much inconvenience as well as rifk attends 

 the opening the heaps, it may be advifable not to have them too large, as by at 

 tention in this refpect the whole may be removed at once, and almoft immediately 

 converted to ufe. 



But in whatever manner this method may be performed, it feems to be lefs con 

 venient as well as lefs fecure than that of ftoring them in deep dry cellars or vaults 

 of other kinds, where they can not only be eafily removed as occafion may require, 

 but be more perfectly fafe againft moifture. In this mode, the fame attention will, 

 however, be requiftte in the covering of them up in the winter months as in the 

 .others. 



The moft perfect practice is perhaps that of having houfes conftructed of fuit- 

 able materials exprefsly for thepurpofe, as in this way the conftant trouble and ex- 

 pence of covering and uncovering may be avoided. 



Where the cultivation of this root is carried on to a confiderable extent, and the 

 produce kept during the winter and early fpring months, it may, therefore, be ad 

 vifable to have a houfe conftructed for the purpofe, fomewhat on the principle of 

 the dairy-houfe, or fo as conftantly to preferve as much as poflible an uniform (late 

 of temperature between the extremes that have been mentioned, in which the pota- 

 toe is found to remain in a perfectly found and uninjured condition. For fuch a 

 building a perfectly dry fituation, and which is as little expofed to the fun as pof- 

 fible, mould always be chofen. In very dry foils it may be the beft method to 

 have it funk fomething below the furface of the ground, both for the convenience 

 of preferving and ftoring the crops ; but in fuch as are more retentive of moifture, 

 it will be better to have it wholly above the level of the furface, in order more 

 fully to guard againft the effects of dampncfs. The outfide walls may be of earth, 

 welLwrought clay, or any other denfe material ; but of whatever fubftances they 

 may be formed, they fhould be conftructed double, or in fuch a manner as that 

 fome kind of light material, fuch as faw-duft, coarfe hair, fern, ftraw, &c., which 

 has a tendency to refift the action of fevere froft, may be lightly fluffed in betwixt 

 them : and the roof after being well boarded over, fhould be covered with an ex 

 tremely thick coat of good wheat or rye ftraw. The door may alfo be formed dou 

 ble in .the fame way as the fide walls, and be fo contrived as, on being opened, to 



* Experienced Farmer, vol. I. 



