PREPARATION OP SOIL MANURING, &c. 35 



should be diluted by mixing with at least an equal por- 

 tion of some other substance ; for this purpose nothing is 

 so suitable as gypsum (sulphate of lime), which in itself 

 is a valuable manurial substance for the potato. It is a 

 cheap substance, and may be liberally applied say half 

 a ton per acre. If this be not at hand, sand, coal ashes, or 

 even dry mould would do, in order to dilute it and thus 

 effect its more equal distribution on the field. 



The end of March or beginning of April is, under 

 ordinary circumstances, the best period for potato plant- 

 ing, previous to which the land ought to be properly 

 prepared for the reception of the crop. If the autumnal 

 cultivation has been well carried out, but little will be 

 needed now ; if that has been neglected, we must at once 

 set to work, ploughing, cultivating, rolling, and har- 

 rowing, as may be required, until every weed is got out 

 of it, and a fine deep tilth secured. When these necessary 

 conditions have been attained, the operation of ridging may 

 be proceeded with, at which time the farmyard manure in- 

 tended for the crop should be applied, when it has not been 

 laid on at the winter ploughing. The method of drawing 

 the ridges, carting on and distributing the manure, and 

 the principles involved both in the application of manurial 

 substances and in the labour required for their distribu- 

 tion, have been fully described and discussed in a former 

 part, when treating on the turnip crop (pp. 290 and 296, 

 vol. i.), and these we would again recommend to the con- 

 sideration of farmers, as they represent two important 

 questions in farming which appear to be very imper- 

 fectly understood, or at all events very generally neglected, 

 at the present day. When the farmyard manure is ap- 

 plied at the time of ridging, the additional guano or 

 other substances should be broadcasted at the same time, 

 and covered in by the moulding plough at the time of 

 splitting the ridges and covering in the dung. 



