$66 Keeping Potatoes in Winter and Summer. 



over, frosts, &c, not only destroy many, but very much de- 

 teriorate the flavour of those saved. 



The method we adopt here is as follows : — After digging 

 up in the autumn, we first sort them over, then store them up 

 in a dry state in what is commonly called a Canada cellar, 

 which we have here, and which I would recommend before 

 all other places for keeping potatoes. The building may be 

 of any length or width, according to the quantity to be put 

 in it, and not deeper than 3 ft. below the ground level out- 

 side, nor more than 9 ft. in the clear inside of the vault, 

 arched over as for an ice-house, with one strong door, to shut 

 Very close. In such a place it will be found that, though the 

 temperature be a few degrees below the freezing point, the 

 tubers will not be frost-bitten, if even uncovered, which they 

 should always be ; and, if there is plenty of room in the cellar, 

 piling them up in right angles against the back part of the 

 building is an advantage, as it keeps them more from grow- 

 ing than when in a square body. I do not mean to hold out 

 to you or your readers that Canada cellars are quite new in 

 this country; but I only wonder why they are not more general, 

 as they are so well calculated for keeping various roots and 

 vegetables in severe winters. 



As a proof of the excellence of the above method of keep- 

 ing potatoes in a fine, mealy, yet moist condition, I sent some 

 to London in an excellent state of preservation, for Lord 

 Northwick's table, on the 4th of July last, which were highly 

 approved of by His Lordship, and also by the family, although 

 we had at the same time in the garden the same variety, viz. 

 what is called the Harrow potato, ready to dig up. This 

 variety combines in some degree earliness and lateness, as we 

 can keep them nearly ten months in perfection from the time 

 of digging up. 



With respect to the different methods of growing early 

 potatoes, I have only to observe that I plant a round Dutch 

 variety in the open garden in July, which is ready to dig up 

 in November, as wanted for the table. They keep very well 

 through the winter in the ground, when covered thick with 

 sawdust or oak leaves. This method, taking every thing 

 into account, is decidedly the best for what may be called an 

 early winter crop. I am, Sir, &c. 



George Fulton. 

 Northwick Park Gardens, Sept. 1827. 



