86 



Potatoes at Perth sold this year at about L. 15 or 15 gui- 

 neas^. Scotch acre; and if L.j is supposed for rent, and L5 

 for dung, it will appear that there is not too much for so 

 much labour, and that the chief profit lies in the state of 

 preparation the ground is brought into for the succeeding 

 crop. In a wet season, potatoes do not answer upon heavy 

 land *. 



The average produce of potatoes near Edinburgh, is 

 from 40 to 60 bolls per Scotch acre, and the average va- 

 lue from L. 20 to L. 25. 



2. The consumption of potatoes is annually increasing 

 in Scotland, every prejudice against the wholesome- 

 ness of that root having been long ago exploded. The 

 simple modes in which they can be prepared for the ta- 

 ble, is of the utmost advantage to the poor ; and by the 

 addition of salted herring, both the taste, and the nou- 

 rishment afforded by that useful article, maybe improved. 

 It is difficult indeed to conceive how the people of this 

 country could have subsisted, had it not been for the for- 

 tunate introduction, and extensive culture of, this most 

 valuable plant. 



3. Potatoes are found an excellent preparation for crops 

 of wheat. The frequent ploughings necessary for raising 



* The following is the expence of cultivating one acre of 

 potatoes near Dalkeith. 



Dung, 40 single-horse carts, at 55. L. 10 o o 



Three ploughings and harrowings, a o o 



Seed, cleaning with horse and hand-hoe, 3 10 o 



Taking up and housing, - 2 ze o 



Rent, 55 



L. 23 5 o 



