A Pine Pit heated by Steam. 407 



The sets for the early crop are then covered with a spade 

 to the depth of two inches, and subsequently covered at two 

 or three different times to the depth of about five inches. 

 The second and third crops are usually covered with the 

 plough. 



Some lay the potatoes intended for plants early in the year, 

 before they are wanted to be cut, loose and separate on straw, 

 or on warm boarded floors, and others put them on flakes or 

 frames in warm situations near the fire, for the same purpose, 

 in order that they may sprout, and when so sprouted to the 

 length of half an inch or an inch, they are then carefully cut 

 as described, assorted and planted. 



Some of the growers, who take great pains in the early 

 production of this potatoe, obtain in Manchester market two 

 or three shillings per pound, and from their delicacy they are 

 worth the money. 



You will not fail to observe, that part of the potatoe near 

 the root or runner end, as per section, is of no use whatever 

 for sets or plants, yielding only stems, and small potatoes 

 not worth cultivating : in cutting the sets this part is usually 

 thrown into a fourth vessel, and given to the pigs. 



Perhaps the Lancashire mode of dressing early potatoes 

 may not be unacceptable to some of your readers. " Brush 

 off the skins, set them on the fire in cold water : when boiled, 

 pour off the water completely, add a little salt, and dry them 

 well on the fire." An iron pot, I conceive, is the best vessel 

 for the purpose, and the sooner they are eaten with cold 

 butter the better. 



I am, Sir, &c. 



R. W. 

 London, Feb. 11. 1826. 



Art. XIX. Description of a Pine Pit, to be heated by 

 Steam, erected in Shugborough Gardens, Staffordshire. By 

 Mr. Andrew Johnston, Journeyman Gardener there. 



Sir, 

 I enclose the following plan of a pine pit, {Jigs. 82. and 83. 

 engraved from sketches, remarkably well delineated,) which I 

 hope you will consider not unworthy of a place in your very 

 valuable Magazine. It has not as yet appeared in any publi- 

 cation, although one of a very similar nature has been sent by 

 Mr. M'Murtrie to the Horticultural Society ; and, I dare say, 

 will soon appear in their Transactions : but as their reports 



