386 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Knight proposed that the blossoms should be cnt off, and 

 though he has been much ridiculed for the suggestion, I highly 

 approve of the plan, for the following reasons : All plants that 

 ripen their seed exhaust the soil; all tuberous growing plants that 

 ripen their seed, do so at the expense of the tuber. Therefore, if 

 you would have inferior potatoes, jou can accomplish the object 

 by permitting the seed balls to perfect; and if you desire seed 

 balls alone, withdraw the potatoes carefully, and you will succeed- 



Many farmers approve of planting whole potatoes, and this 

 mode has gained ground in the United States, much to my sur- 

 prise; but I do not think any man who gives this matter a 

 moment's consideration, will continue the practice. Every large 

 potatoe contains from ten to twelve buds, or eyes, from each one 

 of which a stem will arise; consequently, you compel land to 

 support ten or twelve plants, that is capable of growing but one. 

 You might as well cause ten or twelve cows to live upon one 

 cow's grass. It would be far more economical to gouge out the 

 eyes, and plant them separately, ten inches apart, in a drill; by 

 which mode a far greater amount of produce will be obtained. 

 When whole potatoes are planted, many weak and late shoots 

 grow, affecting the quality, productiveness and size of the entire 

 hill. 



The yield of the potato is various ; but under my system of cul- 

 ture four hundred and thirty-two bushels have been grown upon an 

 acre of land. The most important application of this admirable 

 tuber is as food for man, being invariably found on the tables of 

 all classes. It is likewise used extensively as food for stock, and, 

 in France and the Netherlands, distilled into ardent spirits. In 

 Germany made into bread, and in Ireland into wine. 



Mr. Pell presented several sorts of potatoes, collected in Peru, 

 by Mr. Eugene Koehn, the importer of the herd of lamas, lately 

 mentioned in the papers. He read a paper on the history of the 

 potato, and its uses as food, contending that the potato is the only 

 sole article that can be used for food, and that all other vegetables 

 require a mixture of some other substance to support man in a 

 healthy condition. The potato contains gum, starch and woody 

 fibre, all requisite in food. Their value varies in the same variety 



