374 Reti-ospective Criticism. 



but whom necessity has stimulated to ascertain which is really the most pro- 

 fitable mode of culture. 



I have adopted many different modes of culture, and have witnessed many 

 others, by different persons, and have frequently found it a difficult matter to de- 

 cide which is really the best ; as every soil and situation has something or other 

 connected with it that must be taken into consideration, and which cannot be 

 met by any positive general rule. The same principle is applicable to the 

 different kinds of potato; a true knowledge of which is to be only attained by 

 long and active practice. 



Now, Sir, R. L. has mistaken my meaning, in supposing that I speak de- 

 ddedly against planting whole potatoes. I do not ! I have frequently done 

 so ; sometimes with favourable results, and sometimes the reverse. In my 

 communication, I merely state my general practice, with which I have every 

 reason to feel satisfied, as by that method I obtain crops equal, and some to 

 surpass, those mentioned by R. L. 



As regards the cutting of potatoes being left to old women, I readily admit 

 the fact ; and know no reason why an old woman should not cut them as well 

 as an old man. I certainly much regret the want of gallantry in R. L., in 

 speaking thus disparagingly of old women. He should remember, those old 

 women were at one time young ; and that, what they have lost in youth, they 

 have, in common with mankind, gained by experience ; and I know many 

 whose eye is so quick, by continual practice, that they can discern in a mo- 

 ment where to divide the potato, so as to make good strong sets for planting. 



Notwithstanding my advocacy of the system, I can assure R. L. I am not 

 so wedded to it, or to the old women who cut the potatoes, as to preclude my 

 adopting any other practice, which can be shown, by a series of undoubted 

 facts, to possess advantages over that of cutting : but this I cannot consider 

 he has done, by merely giving us an account of the produce of eight whole 

 potatoes, and of [6 sets of 4 eyes each. His experimentis not sufficiently ex- 

 tensive, nor his description of it sufficiently definite, to furnish data on which 

 to decide. 



Respecting the dry rot, he says he knows nothing of it relative to potatoes. 

 If he is really a grower of any extent, he certainly is a most fortunate man to 

 remain thus in "blissful ignorance " of that serious drawback on the potato- 

 grower. I would tell him, it is not that drying up and shrivelling of the set 

 after cutting, which we sometimes see when due care has not been taken; but 

 it is what I should call a premature decay of the tuber, the effect of various 

 causes, by which the vital principle is quite destroyed ; and which is very fre- 

 quently to be found in potatoes that at first sight appear sound, but which, on 

 close inspection, are found destitute of their natural juices, or sap. Should 

 those tubers be planted, the hopes of the cultivator are frustrated ; and, if they 

 be examined, they will in most cases be found, if cut or broken, to have the 

 appearance of clotted meal. 



I believe the dry rot might, in many instances, be avoided, were sufficient 

 pains taken in the laying up potatoes. If they heat in the heaps beyond a cer- 

 tain degree, they will be injured in their vegetative powers ; and it is from this 

 cause, I apprehend, that what are called ship goods, are so often exclaimed 

 against, as having the dry rot, and thus disappointing the hopes of the grower. 



I hope R. L. will give us a definition of the terms " agricultural kidney," and 

 "agricultural potato." The latter he describes as being the best for the gentle- 

 man's table, though not so productive as many others. Now, there are so many 

 kinds of potato that, I think, have an equal claim to the term agricultural, that 

 I know not on which to decide. I have known several kinds that were con- 

 sidered field potatoes thirty or forty years since; but they are great producers, 

 and at that time were considered fit only for those " who ask no questions, the 

 pigs." I suppose it is not any of these that R. L. means ; although, from their 

 long adoption in field culture, they certainly appear to have the best claim to 

 the term agricultural. — W. M. East Ham, March 9. 1836. 



On the Subject of Bottom Heat, as applied to the culture of exotics, practical 



