166 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



forming the most distinguishing and permanent char- 

 acteristic, though in the roots grown from seeds, 

 these are found blending in every shape and form. 

 Most of our kinds have been introduced from Eng- 

 land and Ireland, and hence partake of the qualities of 

 those grown in those countries, though perhaps with 

 a different name. In the British Husbandry the fol- 

 lowing six varieties are given as of superior quahty ; 

 and the quantities grown per acre, as recorded by 

 the -Highland Society, is as follows : 



Some potatoes are early, and some late ; some 

 mealy, and some waxy ; some pleasant to the taste, 

 and some strong and disagreeable ; some very pro- 

 ductive, and others not so. It is evident, therefore, 

 that the kinds should be kept as distinct as possible; 

 not because the roots will intermix, but because the 

 several qualities are ripe at different periods, and are 

 of very different value. 



" The potato will grow upon almost any kind of 

 soil, provided it is not too wet and too clayey ; but 

 light, dry, friable loams, or sand of tolerable con- 

 sistence, are the most appropriate." — Brit. Husb. 

 Swamps containing large quantites of vegetable mat- 

 ter, when well drained and reclaimed, are good for 

 potatoes, and produce large crops. New lands that 

 abound in " muck" are favourable to their growth ; 

 but on poor land of any kind, unless heavily ma- 

 nured, the potato will not succeed. As to the effect 

 of potatoes upon the soil and on the succeeding crops, 

 recorded experiments are exceedingly contradictory. 

 Considering the great quantity of nutritive matter 

 the potato draws from the soil, it cannot, reasoning 

 analogically, be viewed in any other light than as 



