434 Culture of the Potato. 



am induced to believe that much more importance is attached 

 to that cause than it really deserves, That it is possible for 

 potatoes to be over-matured, I admit; but it will only occur 

 in those seasons that are exceptions to our summers, generally 

 considered. 



During the last twenty years I have been extensively con- 

 nected with the culture of potatoes on various soils, and by 

 many different methods, both for early and late crops ; and, 

 though I have never suffered from an attack of the curl, I have 

 in many instances seen the crops of those around me suffering 

 to a great extent during that period. I will describe my prac- 

 tice in as few words as possible. For early crops I always plant 

 tubers produced from an early crop the preceding season, in 

 preference to those of a later growth. I consider tubers well 

 matured preferable for planting, because in them the embryo 

 of the future plant is more perfect than in those not yet arrived 

 at a state of maturity; and, consequently, the functions of the 

 plant are brought more readily into action by the three great 

 agents of vegetation, light, heat, and moisture, than in those of 

 later growth. The well keeping of potatoes intended for plant- 

 ing is a very material point as respects the curl in the future 

 crop. I hesitate not to say that the curl is often caused by the 

 injudicious manner in which potatoes are frequently stored 

 through the autumn and winter months. We often see them 

 thrown into large heaps, and suffered to remain till young shoots 

 appear through the top of the heap. They are then perchance 

 turned over, to rub off the young shoots, and again consigned to 

 chance till another crop of shoots appear. Indeed, I have known 

 instances where three successive crops have appeared before the 

 time for planting had arrived. Under these and similar circum- 

 stances, we have no reason to expect a healthy growth and good 

 crop; it is quite impossible that plants, with their vegetative 

 powers thus nearly exhausted, can fully develope their respective 

 parts; and hence those monstrosities, contortions, and contracted 

 appearances of the stem and foliage, which end in disappoint- 

 ment to the grower. It is not to be inferred that I consider 

 this as the sole cause of the curl in potato crops ; on the con- 

 trary, I believe that there are others ; but these appear to me of 

 a secondary nature, and I may at some future time address you 

 respecting them, should you deem the hints here thrown out 

 worth attention. 



My method of keeping potatoes for planting is this : — I lay- 

 by well-matured tubers of my earliest crops, in a dark dry shed, 

 frequently turning them over, to prevent them from sprouting ; 

 which by proper attention may be effectually done. They will 

 retain their vegetative powers unimpaired. When the season 

 for planting arrives, I cut my sets in the following manner : 



