C 54. 3 



On Potatoes, 



The following paper onpotatoes, by Arthur Young, 

 Esquire, is published to shew the curious facts it 

 contains, and as information to us of the value of 

 the root. That it is an exhauster we have long 

 known. The idea that potatoes are valuable as pre- 

 paratory to a wheat crop is not now so prevalent as 

 formerly. The desire of those farmers who wish to 

 save labour, and double work their dung, by planting 

 potatoes on fallows intended for wheat , is injurious and 

 fallacious. The ground for potatoes must be more 

 highly manured, than a crop of wheat requires. If 

 the quantity of dung proper for a wheat crop only, is 

 laid on for potatoes and wheat, little fertility will be 

 left after the crops are gathered ; nor will either crop 

 be abundant. The late gathering potatoes retards 

 sowing wheat in due season; and although in some sea- 

 sons, wheat after potatoes succeeds, it is generally a 

 hazardous and ineligible practice. In Englaiid the 

 planting potatoes, and particularly on wheat fallows 

 is forbidden in leases ; and restrictions on their cul- 

 ture are common. Their frequent failures of grain 

 crops force the cultivation of the potatoe ; which, no 

 doubt, is a highly valuable product, but should be cul- 

 tivated as a crop by itself; and not in connexion with 

 a grain course. I find this opinion, though not gene- 

 rally adopted, is not singular, and is the result of 

 my own experience. When I mean to sow^ w'mter grain 

 after potatoes, I always allow a greater proportion of 

 manure, and believe rye a much'surer crop than wheat. 



