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potato has ever been infected with disease, in its native coun- 

 try, that has caused it to rot; there it is renewed yearly and 

 spontaneously from the seed; and, if it were renewed at proper 

 times before it begins to deteriorate, in other countries, might 

 we not suppose that it would flourish there, free from this fatal 

 malady? 



The cultivation of the potato. We would not dismiss 

 this subject without reference to the cultivation of this most 

 desirable and useful root; and we would presume to say much 

 that has been said by others, hundreds of times; and yet the 

 same should be repeated and enforced, till all who may desire 

 to cultivate potatoes with success, shall regard these sayings. 

 And, first, select for your potato field, a soil that is permeable. 

 There is no better than a rich and mellow loam, so loose as 

 freely to admit the air and rain; these two elements combined, 

 will disintegrate its particles, and prepare them for plant food. 

 A clayey or adhesive, heavy soil, is not adapted to the growth 

 of the potato; in such, it will not thrive. The higher the 

 ground on which your field may be, the better. On such, the 

 potato is far less liable to rot than on low lands, where chills 

 and dampness cause a mildew and breed the fungus, that sure 

 precursor of disease. If your soil be lacking in the con- 

 stituents of the potato, apply such fertilizers as may be needed. 

 The potato requires but little nitrogen, and strong nitrogenous 

 manures are unfavorable to its growth; that of cattle should be 

 preferred to that of horses or of hogs. Your coarse manure, 

 spread on your ground and plough it in. Plough deep and 

 then spread on a coat of lime, and sprinkle on some salt. 

 This the plant requires as a seasoning for its food, and lime is 

 a constituent of the potato, and if your soil is not calcareous, 

 this element must be supplied. 



Next, harrow well till all tenacious clods are pulverized. 

 Then draw the furrows at proper distances for the rows, and 

 sprinkle in some ashes or some phosphate. This will quicken 

 the germs and stimulate the growth of the young plants. 



