322 Earthing up of grotsoing Crops of Potatoes. 



of these all running directly into the borders and clumps of a 



flower-warden, it is not thought that the fault can be in the 

 ^.. .- ..11- 



soil, as it is so well cultivated for the plants in it, but this 



I consider to be the only cause of their failing; as within a 



few yards of these is a building of considerable height and 



length, of the same aspect as the others, having vines trained 



all over it, which are planted (as far as I can learn) in 



nothing but the natural soil, having a wide gravel walk over 



their roots, beyond which they have nothing else but a lawn. 



They have, therefore, in all probability never been disturbed 



since they were planted. These I have known for several 



years, but I do not recollect ever having heard of their failing 



to produce good crops. Young vines, also, which have been 



planted amongst them, have begun to bear. Instances of 



this kind are so numerous, in front of dwelling-houses and 



other buildings, that it is unnecessary for me to say any more 



on the subject; I shall therefore conclude with hoping that 



those who have hitherto attributed it to the soil will reflect 



whether in some measure it may not be owing to the cause I 



have mentioned. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



Feb. 26. 1833. R. T. 



Art. XVr. On the Uselessness of earthing up groiving Crops of 

 Potatoes. By Joseph Hayward, Esq., Author of " The Science 

 of Horticulture," &c. 



Sir, 

 I WOULD ofifer a few hints that may aid the endeavours of 

 those who advocate the benefiting of the condition of the poor : 

 they may contribute to increase the objection which some have 

 urged against exhausting the powers of labour. Mr. Knight's 

 observations regarding the potato are valuable ; but there is one 

 laborious operation commonly resorted to in cultivating this 

 vegetable, which, I think, has not been sufficiently considered ; 

 and which, I am convinced by more than ten years' experience, 

 is superfluous. Observing that a farmer, in managing a field 

 of potatoes alongside one of mine, did not earth them up, but 

 simply flat-hoed the surface of the soil to clear away the weeds, 

 while I had mine earthed up with great care, I determined 

 on noticing the difference on taking up the crop ; and, to my 

 astonishment, he had 14 tons per acre, while I had not more 

 than half the quantitj^, and his potatoes were of a more mar- 

 ketable quality than mine; being generally of a good size, while 

 mine were large and small. The result induced me to question 

 the farmer ; and he told me it was a practice he had followed 



