14 Hints on Vegetation. 



of potatoes, under this system, are not only more certain and abundant, 

 but alsoof superior quality; for the plants, having acquired a large growth 

 very early in the summer, the produce is of course perfectly ripened 

 early in the autumn. If the potatoes are of a dwarfish sort, the rows 

 ought not to be more than 2 feet distant from each other, nor the 

 sets more than 3 inches apart in the rows. In various instances, po- 

 tatoes have been planted, so as to leave a distance of 4 feet between 

 the rows, and with advantage. But as Mr Blaikie justly observes, 

 the success must greatly depend on the soil, and on the season. If a 

 trial is made on a light sandy soil, facing the sun, and the rows ranging 

 from north to south, the plan may not answer, should the summer 

 prove hot, and dry, though heavy crops of potatoes, may be raised in 

 rows at that interval, upon rich deep loams, in low situations. 



An intelligent farmer in Mid-Lothian found, by experience, great 

 advantage from cultivating potatoes, at 4 feet distance, not only in re- 

 spect to their quality and the quantity of produce, but also in regard to 

 the improvement of the soil, for the succeeding crop. He attributed 

 this beneficial effect, to the soil being entirely shaded from the sun by 

 the luxuriance of the foliage. 



It may be proper to add, that Mr Knight has ascertained, that largo 

 tubers give very strong stems, which cause the leaves, if the variety 

 have proper habits, to be held up to the light in their first position. 

 The leaves, under those circumstances, do not fall upon or shade each 

 other, and remain therefore, through the whole season efficient. He 

 considers the perpendicular direction of the stem to be important, as 

 gravitation certainly acts with much power, upon the motion of the 

 fluids of plants. 



Mr Knighjt is trying some important experiments, with varieties 

 of the potatoe which do not blossom. Some of these sorts grow and 

 ripen early, while others grow and ripen late. The possession of va- 

 rieties with these different habits, must tend to render the potatoe crop 

 less subject to variation or failure. 



There is no branch of agriculture, the improvement of which is of 

 so much public consequence, as the culture of the potatoe, as, by the 

 abundance of that crop, any deficiency in the production of other ar- 

 ticles of food, may be most effectually supplied. 



No. III. 



OF LEASES*. 



THE relative situation of landlord and tenant, has undergone a very 

 material change, from what it was in ancient times. Originally the 

 lease was an agreement for mutual protection and defence, or of a mi- 



* The general nature of the connexion between a proprietor and his tenant 

 has been already explained, chap. i. sect. 8. p 51. 



