SpO FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



Another is, by pounding the dried leaves, stems, and 

 capstiles; boiling them, when pulverized, in water, and then 

 cleansing and reducing it by evaporation. It may be readily 

 cleansed by runing it through a small leach, of about four 

 or five inches in depth, of charcoal, pounded or ground fine, 

 underlaid with three or four folds ot flannel. 



The seeds of the poppy also afford an oil, which is fully 

 equal to the olive-oil, for the purposes for which that is 

 used. The seeds should be fully ripened, before they are 

 used for this purpose, and the oil they afford is then found 

 as wholesome as any other. 



The oil ot the poppy-seeds is becoming common in Eu- 

 rope, as a substitute for that of the olive. 



The poppy is cultivated to some extent in Pennsylvania^ 

 and, no doubt, its culture is found to be lucrative. 



POTATOE (Solanum.) This root is a native of this 

 Country, and was first carried to Europe by Sir Walter 

 Raleigh, When boiled, it is a wholesome and nourishing 

 food tor Man or beast. Many families in Ireland subsist on 

 potatoes and milk, and often on potatoes only, with a little 

 salt; yet these are as healthy, vigorous, and well-made as 

 any People in Greatbritain. 



Potatoes are usually cultivated from the roots; but they 

 may be also raised from the cutings of the top branches, 

 \vhen set in the ground ; and these will strike root, even it 

 planted bottom upwards. The sprouts taken from potatoes 

 wll also grow. The root itself will not grow, if planted the 

 same season in which it has been raised. 



From the seeds of the apples, potatoes may also be rais- 

 ed ; and this is the best way for obtaining new varieties of 

 the plant. Gather the apples after the seeds are fully ripe ; 

 mash them in water till they are cleared of the pulp ; then 

 dry the seeds; and next Spring sow them in a bed, which 

 is to be kept clear of weeds. 



In the Fall, small potatoes will be found at the roots of 

 the plants; and the different varieties of these are to be 

 separately planted the next season ; when they will produce 

 potatoes of the usual size ; and at this time the respective 

 qualities of each variety can be ascertained. 



New varieties may also be obtained, in the manner men- 

 tioned under CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENT OF SEEDS. 



It is advisable frequently to produce new varieties, as 

 some are much more valuable than others. 



Potatoes may be raised to advantage in various kinds of 

 soils; provided they are sufficiently rich, or well manured. 

 They will even grow in peaty grounds, where no other 

 plant could be raised to any advantage. Stiff clays, and cold 

 wet soils, are not so well suited for them. Coarse crude 



