256 ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT-TREES IN POTS. 



to remain, I mix with the compost some material, in greater or less 

 quantity, which is capable of ultimately affording nutriment, but which 

 will decompose slowly. In some cases I have used with success slender 

 half-decayed branches from my wood pile ; and in others I have employed 

 sound chips, chiefly of apple-tree, mixed with mould, and in sufficient 

 quantity to occupy at least one-fourth of the space afforded by the pot. 

 As the roots of the plant increase, the lifeless wood gradually decomposes, 

 at the same time giving food and space to the roots, which consequently 

 do not become injuriously compressed in the pot. I possess a nectarine- 

 tree which has grown nine years in the same pot, and which vegetated 

 more strongly in the present spring than I can recollect it previously to 

 have done. Several successive crops of fungi usually appear upon the 

 surface of the pots under the preceding circumstances ; but I have had 

 no reason to think these injurious. 



The trouble of conveying water to numerous pots, in hot weather, 

 would be very considerable; but a simple mode of applying the very 

 ingenious contrivance of Mr. Loddiges, by which water is dispersed as 

 in showers upon the foliage of his plants, and which has been described 

 in the Society's Transactions*, would reduce this labour to the act of 

 turning a cock : and if it were desirable to diminish or wholly take away 

 the supply from any particular spot, this might easily be effected, by 

 partially or wholly closing the apertures through which the water is 

 made to escape from the pipe. 



XLVI. AN ACCOUNT OF AN IMPROVED METHOD OF RAISING EARLY 

 POTATOES IN THE OPEN GROUND. 



[Read before the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, June 5th, 1821.] 



THE destruction, in the present season, of early crops of potatoes by 

 frost in this vicinity, (particularly in the gardens of those who could ill 

 bear the loss they have sustained,) has led me to address to the Society 

 the following account of some deviations from the ordinary modes of 

 practice in the culture of that plant, which I have found successful in 

 not only affording plants which more effectually recover when impeded 

 by frost, but also in furnishing a larger and more early produce under 

 ordinary circumstances. 



It has long been known that abundant crops of late and luxuriant varie- 

 ties of early potatoes may be obtained by planting very small pieces only 



* See Vol. III. page 14 of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 



