POTATOE. 103 



were found to contain eleven ounces and 

 a half of water, two ounces and a half of 

 starch, six gross of fibrous matter, one gross 

 and a half of mucilaginous and saline extract. 



The following instance of the value of the 

 potatoe in the fattening of cattle is deserving 

 of notice : 



" Twenty-one acres were planted with po- 

 tatoes, from the produce of which forty fat 

 beasts have been kept from the last week in 

 February to the present time (May 19th); 

 also seven cows, many pigs, &c. There 

 still remains sufficient for the cattle for 

 three weeks to come, and seed for twenty- 

 one acres." The gentleman who made the 

 experiment, considered one acre of potatoes 

 equal to two of turnips ; and that when the 

 potatoe begins to germ, it is even more nu- 

 tritious than when first taken out of the 

 ground. The oxen averaged fifty stone each, 

 and the expense of cultivating the potatoes 

 was forty shillings per acre. Potatoes may 

 also be given to horses with considerable ad- 

 vantage, for on being cut and mixed with oats 

 and chaff, they not only save the corn, but 

 are found to be nutritive and cooling ; they 

 give moisture to the mouth, require less ex- 

 ertion of the salival glands, and prevent ex- 



