Ch. XLVIL] ON FARMERS' GARDENS. 577 



broad beans and onions, like wlieat,'affect a firm subsoil, it should be con- 

 solidated after being trenched. 



In addition to what we have already said on the \^ie failures in the jjofatoe 

 crops, we now beg to call attention to two recent publications on the sub- 

 ject, which — after discussing tlie diversity of opinions entertained upon the 

 cause, and proving their general fallacy — attribute the weakness of the 

 plant to constitutional decay; and assume that the continuance of its vigour 

 may be secured by its propagation from the seed, instead of by cuttings 

 from the bulb, or tuber.* 



AVe have not room to state the reasoning upon which this recommenda- 

 tion is founded, but it has struck us as being too forcibly maintained to be 

 iieglected; for it is matter of not alone national importance, but coming 

 home to every man who cultivates the root upon a large scale. The system 

 of sowing in the field would doubtless occupy so much time ere it could be 

 brought tp perfection, as probably to destroy all profit upon its growth ; but 

 no material inconvenience can be occasioned by growing a sufliciency of 

 seed in the garden to supply the farm with sets for the future field-crops, 

 and they may unquestionably be grown from tubers directly produced from 

 tlie seed, with at least as much certainty as from any older, stock : care 

 should, however, be taken to__select the seed from the finest plants of an 

 approved sort. 



Mr. Aitken prefers green sets to those over-ripened ; and proves the 

 efficacy of green seed, that is, seed full of vegetative sap, from the circum- 

 stance of the crabs, or green excrescences, which grow on the stems of the 

 potato producing vigorous seed. He also urges a test of the vitality of 

 the sets as an important consideration ; which, if attended to, would obviate 

 the necessity of early planting, and allow of time to work and clean the 

 land. His method is as follows : — 



" Select a piece of dry ground in a securely fenced place ; when required on 

 a large scale, as will be the ease on extensive farms, lay the ground olf in beds 

 of five feet wide, with alleys of two feot. Use a garden line, and lay them off 

 in a neat manner. From the alleys take earth to cover the surface of the beds, 

 taking care to raise them a little in the middle. This done, have in readiness, 

 and placed conveniently to the beds, a quantity of fine compost earth, consisting 

 of one-third of moss, one-third of clean earth, one-third of peat or coal ashes, 

 mingled with a small proportion of lime, enriched by urine, or pourings from a 

 dunghill. The beds and compost being both in readiness, cut all the seed 

 potatoes which are above the size of a common hen's egg. ,By the first cut, 

 take off about the fourth part at the root end, and lay it aside for food. Next, 

 divide the top end into pretty large cuts, the small ones use entire, either kept 

 by themselves, or mixed with the cuts. When a quantity is thus cut, spread it 

 over the bed, upon which previously is to bo laid a thin covering of the compost. 

 I would recommend the layer of potatoes not to consist of more than tico cuts 

 in depth, spread over with an inch of compost. This done, if the weather be 

 dry, take a watering-pan and water most effectually, in order to wash the com- 

 post into the bed amongst the cuts ; 'the (quantity of water being regulated by 

 the state of the weather. After this, give them another covering of compost, in 

 all about three inches in depth. In this manner proceed until as many are so 

 laid down as will be required for the farm. Further watering will only be ne- 

 cessary if the weather is dry. After the cuttings have lain in the seed-beds 

 some time, it will be necessary to examine them to see if they are springing, of 



* See Aitken, '' On the Potato rescued from disease, and restored to prisline vigour by 

 a plan of keeping and cultivation, founded on the natural principles of the vegetable 

 economy:" and, "The failure of the Potato crop ascertained and demonstrated from 

 analogy ; with a remedy ami test for the present bead to prevent failures ;'' by a Dum- 

 bartonshire farmer, 



VOL. II, 2 P 



