88 The West London Gardeners^ 



4 ft. apart evert/ way. They have produced, at an average, one stone weight 

 from each cut, or set ; in some instances, as in that of the specimen now pre- 

 sented, the produce from one set is 16 lb. : some of the tubers weighed 4 lb. 

 each. Each potato has thus produced upwards of 10 st, in all 32 st. weight; 

 being at the rate of about 28 tons per Irish acre. Had the sets been only 3 ft. 

 asunder, which would have been quite sufficient, the produce would have been 

 in the proportion of about 35 tons per Irish acre. 



" On analysing and comparing this species of potato with an equal weight 

 of the Irish red apple potato, the result was as follows : — 



starch. Fibre, &c. 



1 lb. of red apple yielded - - - 3 oz. 1 oz. full. 



I lb. of mangel wurzel potato - - - 2^ oz. 1 oz. short. 



" This latter species of potato seems to be more particularly applicable to 

 the feeding of cattle. 



" For the purpose of ascertaining some doubtful points respecting the 

 causes of failure, as alluded to in the essay on that subject last year, the fol- 

 lowing is an account of the result of seven additional experiments tried this 

 year ; all of which go to confirm the correctness of the opinion then ad- 

 vanced : — 



No. 1. One line of jrjM2^--<?5/e potatoes, planted whole, hav- 

 ing been previously steeped for ten hours in a strong 

 solution of salt, made so strong as to float an egg - 



No. 2. An equal number of cuts prepared as above - 



~ planted whole on perfectly 



cuts, as above 

 whole, on moist dung 

 cuts, as above 

 whole, impregnated with a 

 portion of a potato that had failed - - - 2 12 



"From about sixty varieties of seedling potatoes raised last year, I am at 

 present selecting those of the best quality, of which, I am happy to estate, 

 there are several." 



The committee of botany, on presenting Mr. Niven's report, state that 

 they " cannot omit the pleasing duty of testifying their entire approbation of 

 the zeal and skill with which the many improvements have been carried on 

 there during the past spring and summer, and of the very creditable state in 

 which it appeared during the meeting of the British Association ; the members 

 of which, particularly those professionally connected with the science of 

 botany, expressed their highest admiration of it." 



An Experimental Horticultural Garden, and a National Arhoretmn, have been 

 projected for the neighbourhood of Dublin, by an enlightened and active- 

 minded individual, who has kindly promised to send us further details when 

 the proper time arrives. Would that we could see the King's Park and 

 Arthur's Seat laid out as an arboretum for Scotland ; and the Regent's 

 Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens, including the Royal Kitchen- 

 Garden, laid out as an arboretum for England. 



No. 3. Do. 



do. 



dry litter 



- 



No. 4. Do. 



do. 



No. 5. Do. 



do. 



No. 6. Do. 



do. 



No. 7. Do. 



do. 



stone. 



lbs. 



2 



12 



3 







2 



12 



2 



12 



3 



2 



2 



12 



Art. III. The West London Gardeners' Association for mutual 

 Instruction. 



A NUMBER of gardeners being anxious to form a Society of Mutual In- 

 struction, by conversation, reading essays, and discussions upon general, 

 practical, and scientific subjects, several meetings were held for that purpose 

 at Mr. Weeks's, King's Road, Chelsea, who kindly provided every necessary 

 accommodation. At one of these meetings, held on Nov. 7., the following 



