228 The Rev. E. Cartwright's Essay on 



The practice which I recommend is to give them raw, and in moderation, 

 giving at the same time dry food, particularly such as will most powerfully counter- 

 act their purgative tendency. 



They are found to agree with animals of all kinds best when in a growing state ; 

 for when they begin to vegetate, the saccharine matter is developed, and the juices 

 undergo a decomposition, which in a great measure, if not altogether, disarms them 

 of their deleterious quality. 



Let a calculation be made of the expense of fuel, attendance, buildings, 

 apparatus, &c. then let an equal sum be expended in corn and oil-cake to be given 

 with the potatoes ; and at the same time let an estimate be made of the value of the 

 increased quantity and quality of the dung in consequence of such addition of corn 

 or cake. When this is done, see on which side will be the balance. 



The most valuable purpose to which the farmer can apply his potatoes, when he 

 has no longer a market for them, is to give them to his sheep at those times when they 

 are prevented by frost or snow from getting at the turnips. In this way they are 

 applied with great advantage. Late in the season also they are an admirable re- 

 resource to fly to, at that distressing period when the winter food is consumed, 

 and before the spring-grass has made its appearance. 



Potatoes are particularly serviceable for ewes and lambs. To these I give them 

 after the rate of two, three, and sometimes four pounds, per head per day. But 

 whether they are given to ewes and lambs, fatting, or other sheep, neglect not to 

 supply the flock with plenty of dry food at the same time. 



It is said that in Lancashire, and some other parts, it has of late years been 

 customary to give potatoes bruised or ground, mixed with meal of some kind, or 

 pollard, to cows and hogs. There can be no objection to this method, except the 

 trouble of executing it. But where there are proper conveniences for the purpose, 

 I should prefer it to any other mode, for cows especially, as there would then be no 

 risk of their being choaked, as sometimes happens when potatoes are given to them 

 whole. 



IX. Diseases. 



The only disease to which potatoc plants are particularly subject is what is called 

 the curl. Its appearance and effects are too well known to need a description* 

 About five and twenty years ago this disease was alarmingly extensive : since then 



