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THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
` its broad succulent leaves are pro- 
invtion of the fluids low temperature is 
t action of the cells of the plant ; 
er sent into the leaves to be 
is moreover required. The amount 
plant in feeble light is small; in 
us. All this important class’ of 
ed ‘during the late seáson. That 
had been compelled to absorb an unusual 
d prevented digesting it by the 
uperature and want of sunlight—render- 
i them to get rid of it by perspira- 
ained by analysis of sound and 
"he sound ones of previous years 
Lyon Playfair to eontain on an 
of water; but last year from 72 
ter, whilst the diseased Potatoes 
) per cent. of water. 
e sound Potatoes were inoculated 
the fungus while others escaped ? 
previous disease, and the attack 
consequence, not the cause, as 
vould indicate as the rule of nature ? 
ynptoms of disease appeared to 
spotting it as it spread. yet it is 
practical observers to have com- 
n that part of the haulm imme- 
commence in the 
believed | 
menced uuderg 
diately above the old set. 
From the prevaience of high winds the Potato haulm 
was knoeke t till it had wróught'a hole in the soil 
round its stem, by which the water descended, and 
there coming in contact with the old set that still re- 
tained hold of the living plant, it acted like a sponge— 
eeding the live stem with semi-putrid 
warmth had forced into preternatural 
otato plant, and debilitated its or- 
p as abruptly succeeded, 
ig the whole plant, and especially 
der part of the haulm just under- 
matter. Su 
vigour the wh 
isati A low 
b p. 
with frost, ei 
uffered most on deep: loamy and 
in dry elevated sandy districts, 
*e of the season’ was mitigated by the 
2, or compensated for, by the natural 
Peaty soils suffered least, and 
:st Moss were decidedly soundest. 
the Potato are found to be com- 
Si i enous or azotised substances, such as 
vegetable albumen, &e. Moss being largely composed 
of organic matter, sometimes. as much as 70 per 
i wl weight, when brought into a 
ition by the d i 
clayey lan 
where the i: 
slowness of 
cent. of its wl 
favourable state for d I y th 
of its antiseptic or preserving quality, must furnish in 
great abundance protein p ds, so necessary for 
the proper f -work of the Potato. Animal and 
vegetable r r added in abundance—which is com- 
monly the ease for a Potato erop—will, likewise, in a 
er decay producing ammonia, add ¢ 
pi at ingredient. The cellular tissue 
of the tuber being thus strongly formed was in a 
favourable state for resisting the vicissitudes of the 
late season, and not to be easily ruptured. Ifthe frame- 
work of the Potato be not strongly formed by having a 
due supply of nitrogenised matter, the cells becoming 
surcharg d with starch will naturally be broken and 
injure the céllular structure ; rendering it more liable 
circumstances such as heat and moisture. 
e manure taken from the court-yard 
i urine, rich in ammonia, and applied to 
, Will necessarily produce a waxy or hard- 
o from an over abundance of protein 
oducing cells without, stareh to fill them. 
ne time produce a vigorous foliage, 
enabling the plant in course of time to obtain carbonic 
acid from the atmosphere to form starch as well as 
y of the manure in the soil, supplying-an 
bonie acid, which carbonic acid may 
or by the leaves, the mouths of which 
naturally absorb it largely in its ascent 
foliage, and, consequently, produce a 
A rupture ofthe outer cells, under the 
fauces, may fairly be supposed to produce 
» Potato eating inward like a canker. It is 
bvious that the manure should be properly 
ring thé due proportion of azotised sub- 
lkaline bases, to enable the plant to 
d necessary, in order to form its 
ont parts, as it cannot obtain a supply 
from the atmosphere till its leaves are 
ng 
n 
pe 
a 
e root 
being under w 
In gro 
g 
quire diffe 
ittle, and for the starch manufacturer. 
nould have a liberal supply of protein com- 
atter carbonaceous to a greater extent, 
e prop ature will do the rest. 
The late planted Potatoes suffered most, but all were 
attacked at a certain stage of their growth, when near 
to maturity. Indeed, as a general rule, the Potato 
crop was affected just in proportion. to the state of 
ripeness in which it was. Generally speaking, all vari- 
eties, in whatever soil alld however situated, whether 
high or low, were more or less affected, which is 
conclusive against the mildew theory, being diametri- 
cally opposed to any previous knowledge we possessed 
as to the attack of mildew. 
Afraid of prolixity in what I have already said, let 
me now endeavour to give a few practical hints as to 
the best method for preserving Potatoes for seed during 
the trying months of spring. The Potatoes should be 
carefully, turned over periodically by the hand, and all 
that indicate the least disease removed, Keeping them 
dry and cool by a proper ventilation of the pits or heaps 
is of vital importatice. A well drained or naturally 
dry‘ spot should be selected for pitting the Potatoes, as, 
in narrow pits, containing about 7'ewt. to the yard in 
length, with drain tiles or pipes placed longitudinally 
and transversely at short intervals in the bottom of the 
pit with upright shafts, all open at their extremities, to 
sive the whole a free current of cold dry air. Thatch- 
ing the pits well with straw has been found, so far as 
the season has yet advanced, to answer well, but it is 
not sufficient to protect the Potatoes against frost winds; 
and, therefore, a very little earth must be added, with 
merely as much straw as will keep the’ earth from 
mixing with them, to facilitate the process of turning or 
removing when required, and to be well thatched and 
roped with straw or other material to keep. the whole 
perfectly dry. Turf sods laid next to the Potatoes, and 
thatched over with straw, or rushes, make an excellent 
covering for the pit, or bin, but can only be procured in 
certain districts where liberty can be had for cutting 
them, and the carriage not too expensive, 
It has been recommended to bed the Potatoes in 
layers of charcoal, charred sawdust, charred peat 
erushed, burnt clay (charring soils is much better than 
burning ‘to a reddish ash, as their absotbiog and disin- 
feeting powers are much enhanced by the n 
re 
e of 
used to great advantage. 
That the Potato erop of last year was so generally 
attaeked with eonsumption in many distriets of the 
United Kingdom, that seed Potatoes will require to be 
imported, there can be no doubt. But mercantile en- 
terprise will not be wanting to bring seed from thé 
south of Europe or north-west of Scotland. 
The whole Potato crop in the province of Galicia, 
in the north of Spain, -is reported’ to be perfectly 
sound, and as great numbers are annually grown for 
exportation to the Spanish West India Islands, 
a considerable quantity could be readily procured. 
Considering the climate of alicia, seed from 
that quarter would appear well adapted for renewing 
our'erops. No disease appeared in the island of Corsica, 
which might furnish a few hundred tons. Around 
Bordeaux the early Potatoes gathered in July were 
sound, although the late crop was diseased. Tsey are 
reported, moreover, to be sound in the north of Seotl>nd, 
where a quantity of seed might be procured ; but it is 
greatly to be desired that a large quantity of good sound 
seed Potatoes should, as soon as possible, be secured in 
the south of Europe—for importation into this country 
—where the peculiar weather we experienced in the 
north was not observed, 
The charred packing stuffs recommended above 
should be used in storing the Potatoes in the ships’ hold, 
tò prevent fermentation during their transport ; for, to 
prevent intestine motion in the Potato before it is about 
to be committed to the soil, is of vital importauce. 
Potato planting in autumn. has been practised suc- 
cessfully by Mr. Gray, of Dilston, Northumberland. 
He had an inerease of one-third in his October planted 
Potatoes over his April; there was little diff. 
G 
In a former letter in 7 r 
early planting as a great preventive against failure, 
that the Potatoes should be all planted before the end 
of April. I stil: proffer my previous advice, not only 
as being a preventive against failure in the sets, but 
also in diminishing the attack of the late malady, taking 
into aecount soil and situation. I likewise advised 
making only two sets of a Potato, to cut off the root end, 
laying it aside, and to split the remainder longitudinally 
so as to have some of the rose end eyes in each set, 
which is important. 
It has been recommended that Potatoes intended to 
be grown for seed should be planted on the flat 2 inches 
deep, not earthed up, but the soil kept loose and clean. 
'That the crop wili be as large, and the germinating 
powers invigorated by the greater number of the tubers 
having grown above ground receiving the advantage of 
the light and air, strengthening the buds or eyes, and 
believed to be much hardier, and not so easily injured 
by rain or frost as those grown in the usual way. 
A manure, containing a preponderance of protein com- 
pounds, should be added to the soil some time previous, 
properly incorporated, and the land brought to a fine 
friable state, before the Potatoes intended to be grown 
for seed are planted in the flat surface. 
To imitate Nature as far as practicable in raising 
Potatoes for seed, is of vital importance ; and the plant- 
ing shallow on the flat surface would appear to com- 
prehend this principle, —W. Ewing, Strageath, Crieff, 
Perthshire, Feb. 18. 
ON INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR. 
A yery interesting discussion took place on this 
subject at a late meeting of the North Walsham (Nor- 
folk) Farmers’ Club. We have the permission of the 
secretary to transfer'to our columns the remarks of 
some of the speakers. } 
Mr. Gower: Of the amount of agricultural labour in 
East Norfolk I cannot speak definitely, and will merely 
affirm that the average is low, considering the nature of 
the soil, which is, generally speaking, suitable to almost 
any rotation, I would ‘earnestly impress the members 
with the belief that capital employed in labour is a most 
profitable investment, indirectly as well as immediately ; 
for, by increasing the means of the labourer, it enables 
him to buy more of the farmer's produce. I would sug- 
gest the following alterations in farm practice;—Green- 
cropping, and stall-feeding. It is an undeniable fact, 
that double the quantity of stock may be maintained by 
feeding them in open yards, or what is still more pre- 
ferable, in covered boxes or stalls, and the extra manure 
thus made would amply repay the extra labour. I 
would beg to refer you to our report of last year for a 
system of cropping. I have begun in earnest to carry 
out that system, and shall have a piece of Rye, after 
Wheat, ready for soiling at the end of next month, 
which T intend to follow by Tares, thus securing a sue- 
cession through the summer; and I think I may say 
that by this plan I shall employ two meu and two boys 
extra for 26 weeks, Another important improvement, 
and source of increased employment for the labourer, is 
the better management of our fences, which have 
hitherto been great obstacles to good farming ; as it is 
very evident they injure the crops in their vicinity, and 
are nurseries for weeds, which are continually fouling 
the land. When we consider the fact, that in every 
100 acres of land there are 10 in fences, it will be seen 
how desirable it is to do away with halfof them. I may 
be told that the landlord may object to those alterations; 
but I believe this will rarely occur, as I am bound to 
say my experience has taught me the gratifying fact, 
that the landlord will always appreciate the efforts of the 
tenant to provide full employment for the poor. I am 
aware this ‘question opens a wide field for discussion 
however, in his October, November, and December 
plantings. The plantiug may even be extended into 
January—and a considerable breadth has been planted 
in this neighbourhood during the last month, especially 
by Me. Faidhney, ‘Kirkten and Dalpatrick—an enter- 
prising’ farmer; but thé land must be thoroughly 
drained or naturally dry, deep wrought, and well pul- 
verised, before there is much chance ot success, and 
the. planting never attempted but when the soil is in a 
fair surface condition or tilth ; the seed also should be 
perfectly sound. Myr. Gray’s treatment of his autumn 
and spring planting were as near as possible alike, being 
placed in drills 30 inches wide and 6 inches deep, with 
the manure under the sets, and there was no disease 
perceptible at the time of taking up, about the 14th 
October last; the'earliest or autumn and winter planted, 
showed afew blanks in the rows, but more'vigour and 
greater strength in the stems. He had the large Potatoes 
cutin two, and the small ones planted whole in autumn, 
but the cut ones gave considerably the largess crop: 
The spring planted had the like seed cut in two, but were 
deficient by about one-third, which is a large defect 
when soil and treatment was alike. The autumn plant- 
ing certainly deserves a general trial after such favour- 
able results; but in a soil that expands and contracts 
with frost and thaw, of course it will not sueceed. There 
is no doubt, however, of success if the soil be first dried 
eompletely, loosened ` deeply, and well commingled ; 
which should be the ease at' all times before’ the Potato 
is committed to it. 
The Potato’ is an exotic arid tropical plant, and 
although it has been long elimatised, we know in practice 
it is a delicate esculent, requiring a great deal more 
[2 
on the clauses of leases, and I do hope the 
enlightened spirit of the age will tend to simplify these. 
I do not intend tó enter into this subject ; but, surely, 
it would be sufficient security for the landlord if the 
tenant be restricted from taking two white straw crops 
in'suceession (except where the laud has laid more than 
one year'in Grass,) and be required to consume the 
produce upon the farm. Inereased attention to the 
collecting and managerient of manure wil open up a 
source of very profitable labour. 
Mr. Cubitt : I am aware that Lam in the presence of 
many farmers whose example I might well follow, but I 
will defy any practical man to go through the eastern part 
of this county—yes, even this far-famed county of 
Norfolk—without seeing thousands of acres most slo- 
venly cultivated for the want of additional labour. 
Fitst, to improve the conditioi of the labourers we 
1düst endéavour to’ keep theni fully employed at fair 
wages, without which all othér attempts will be per- 
fectly futile.» And I catinot but think it would: be. to 
the n of every farmer in this country to allow 
each of his labourers a few rods: of. land for the growth 
of vegetables. In my opinion such a system, judiciously 
carried out, would tend more than any other to im- 
prove the character and morals of the agricultural 
labourers, and I think it would assist in destroying the 
influence of that greatest of all his enemics—the village 
beer-shop: But there is another point worthy of at- 
tention. It ought to be the duty of every eniployer to 
watéh over thé interests of his labourers, ‘and he has 
various opportunities of adding to their comfort with 
but little pecuniary: inconveniente to himself; and, 
depend omit, if a, farmer expects to have good and 
faithful servants he must first; teach them that/he feels 
care in its cultivation and preservation generally than | interested in their welfare, and he will then achieve an 
it has yet received. 
| object of no small importance to his own individual in- 
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