APRIL* 225 



rather than have the slice a very small bit, two 

 may be left in it, for sizeable slices are better, es- 

 pecially it* a drought succeed, than small ones, as 

 this plant, in this as well as in many other cases, 

 in its first germination derives its nourishment 

 from the set. These attentions are not stated as 

 essential points, but as circumstances which will, 

 in certain cases, have a degree of influence, which 

 render them worth some portion of thought ; and, 

 in the long run, he who attends closely to every 

 part of the business, and to all minutiae, will on 

 the average of soils, seasons, and manuring, get 

 the best crops. Some planters, who value them- 

 selves much on their skill in this culture, prefer 

 1 Hiving the cuttings ready some time before plant- 

 ing, as they think a moderate keeping in that state 

 beneficial. This point does not seem to be at all 

 essential. 



In the scarcity, scoops, for scooping out the 

 eyes in semi-globular cuttings, were brought into 

 use, to save the fleshy remains of the potatoes 

 for common consumption. This practice was much 

 condemned by some planters, and equally approved 

 by others. From some experiments carefully made, 

 the result of which I am well acquainted with, it 

 appeared that these contradictory opinions might 

 both be just, when founded on variations in prac- 

 tice. When the soil is sandy, or in a very light 

 pulverized, or highly manured state, and every 

 other requisite for success beneficially secured, 

 {hese scooped cuttings succeeded just as well as 



Q larger 



