58 Culture of the Potato. 



gorates the trees. If any of the composition be left for a 

 future occasion, it should be kept in a tub, or other vessel, 

 and urine poured on it, so as to cover the surface. 



I am, Sir, &c. James Bukge. 



Cqffleet, near Plympton, Nov. 5. 1826. 



Art. XVII. On the Culture of the Potato, both in the Field and 

 Garden, and for early as well as main and late Crops. By Mr. 

 J. Elles, late Gardener to the Marquess of Bath, at Longleat. 



Sir, 



The production of a good potato, whether early or late, 

 must at all times be a subject of importance, both to the farmer 

 and gardener : and although its cultivation is very easy and 

 simple, and no doubt appears so, even to the veriest tyro in 

 either calling ; yet the potatoes sold in and about London are 

 generally so very inferior in quality, that we must suppose the 

 soil either to be very unfavourable, or the cultivation defective ; 

 which latter supposition is rather hazardous, when we consider 

 the wealth, skill, and competition of such a host of market- 

 gardeners as supply the metropolis with this useful vegetable. 

 However, be the cause what it may, the article is not credit- 

 able to the grower, nor can such waxy watery things be very 

 nutritious to the consumer. If you think the following hints 

 would have a tendency to remedy the evil complained of, I 

 should be happy to see them inserted in the Gardener's Ma- 

 gazine. 



For a late Crop of Potatoes. — Whether the ground is light 

 or heavy, dig it well before planting, which may be done 

 about the middle or latter end of May ; and if the ground is 

 heavy, draw the drills 2 ft. apart, or more if it is rich as well 

 as heavy ; room being essentially necessary in such ground, to 

 perfect the growth of a crop of good mealy potatoes ; and I 

 rather think that it is thick planting in some measure which 

 so greatly deteriorates the produce about London. Then 

 plant sets with single eyes, 5 or 6 in. deep, and 1 5 to 20 in. 

 asunder in the rows, according to the nature of the soil, or 

 potato to be planted; cover with light muck, and after- 

 wards with a very little earth. In light soils the process is the 

 same, only let the sets be planted thicker and deeper, and 

 cover with as much muck as you please ; but in either case, 

 as soon as the plants are 2 or 3 in. high, take a mattock (for I 



