87 



that article ; the quantity of dung allotted for it, the 

 frequent hoeings, the stirring which the ground receives 

 when they are gathered, (sometimes perhaps more than 

 is necessary), and the favourable period of the year when 

 they are taken up, are excellent preparations for the cul- 

 ture of that important grain. Wheat after potatoes, 

 therefore, is almost universal, wherever both are culti- 

 vated. 



4. The culture of potatoes is very much increased by 

 two practices : i. That of farmers giving a certain por- 

 tion of land for raising potatoes to their servants, they 

 furnishing the dung, and the farmer the plough and the 

 horses ; and, 2. By a practice of farmers in the neigh- 

 bourhood of towns and villages letting land to the inha- 

 bitants for the same purpose, they furnishing both dung 

 and labour. Near Cullen, in Banffshire, they get a fall 

 of ground for a load of dung, which the farmer puts on 

 his turnip field, as the people consider the potatoes of a 

 better quality when raised without dung. Mr Stewart 

 of Hillhead, by letting an acre for potatoes, gets the la- 

 bour of 12 o reapers *. They give the seed only, and 

 take up the crop. The land is let to labourers and trades- 

 men in a neighbouring village. The value of the pota 

 toes is more than ordinary wages, and they are maintain- 

 ed the days they work, but it is a great advantage to have 



* An acre of potatoes gives 120 days reaping, (s&earing,) 

 at 55 yards for each day, the drill being 34 inches wide. 

 The acre thus pays L. 9, the reaper furnishing seed ; the 

 wages, reckoned at is. 6cJ. besides victuals, which together 

 make 2s. 2 d. per day. The reaper (shearer) has his pota- 

 toes at nearly 20 s. the ton, often much less : the advantage 

 of the farmer is, having these reapers at his call, and only ou 

 the days when required. 



