APRIL.] BREADTH-PLANTED. 213 



be kept at work quite through this month) will 

 partly supply them with food, and the wash cisterns 

 and winter stores of carrots, parsnips, potatoes ? 

 &c. will keep them in good heart. 

 POTATOES. 



In the latter end of this month, the land to be 

 planted early with potatoes should all be hand-hoed 

 over the whole surface, to cat up weeds clean, and 

 loosen the earth. This management is known only 

 in the neighbourhood of London, but it should be 

 extended over the whole kingdom, for the excel- 

 lence of it is indisputable. The expence of hoe- 

 ing, when there is a clear space to cut, is trifling, 

 and the succeeding cleaning which the potatoes re- 

 ceive after they are up, is performed at a much less 

 expence on account of this operation, and at the 

 same time in a more effectual manner. 



But the cheapest and most effective method of 

 performing this necessary operation is by a large 

 shim, which cuts three or four feet of surface. 

 For this purpose, there should be a small broad 

 wheel at each end of the beam, to regulate the 

 depth. The work is confined to the surface, the 

 intention of it being merely to cut up weeds and to 

 loosen the earth, which rain and succeeding sun- 

 shine may have encrusted. The operation is of 

 great importance, and will lessen the expence of 

 the following hoeings. 



BREADTH-PLANTED. 



Before a farmer determines what breadth or 

 number of acres he will plant with potatoes, he 



p 3 should 



