196 Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 



der or drum might at once stir the soil and move itself along ; or a set of 

 chisels might be employed to cut the soil in slices as in digging, and the top of 

 the slice might be put in the bottom of the trench, without the unnecessary 

 operation of turning the slice upside down, as practised by the British spades- 

 men ; but simply by throwing it, so that the top of the slice may always fall in 

 the lower part of the furrow, agreeably to the practise of Flemish spadesmen, 

 and in general the spadesmen of all warm climates. The subject is one of 

 intense interest to the gardener, no less than to the agriculturist ; and we 

 think government would be justified in offering 1000/., or even more, in addi- 

 tion to the premium proposed by the Highland society. 



"Preserving Potatoes. — Ten sovereigns, or a piece of plate of that value, "will 

 be given for the best and approved account, founded on experience, of the most 

 successful method of preserving potatoes in good condition, in their natural 

 state, for a period of not less than ten months from the time of their being 

 taken up. 



" Competitors are required to communicate their experience as to the supe- 

 riority of any of the methods now in practice, viz. securing the potatoes in co- 

 vered heaps upon the surface, in pits, in houses, vaults, cellars, or otherwise. 



" Very opposite opinions seem to be held on the advantages of pitting or 

 storing in out-houses or cellars, and also as to the general temperature which 

 should be aimed at ; some recommending from 35° to 40°, and others from 50° 

 to 60° Fahr. Where pitting is preferred, 'there appears to be a difference of opi- 

 nion as to the proper depth of the pits, and as to the thickness of the covering ; 

 likewise, whether the heap should be kept in a dry or damp state generally, and 

 as to the utility of placing either a layer of dry straw or of dry fern, or of green 

 sprats or fresh turf, between the potatoes and the earthy covering, or of employ- 

 ing no other covering than the dry soil. Competitors are required to state 

 their views on all these topics, and also as to what extent the preserving 

 character of potatoes depends on innate qualities in the tubers, or on the mode 

 of preservation employed ; and it is desirable that the names and descriptions 

 of the different varieties of the potato that appear better addapted than others 

 for long keeping should be mentioned. 



" Reports to be lodged with the secretary, on or before the 20th of October, 

 1838. 



"Comparison between different Kinds of JManurein raising Potatoes. — It seems 

 the street manure of Edinburgh is inferior in raising potatoes to that obtained 

 from stables or dairies, in the ratio of 30 per cent ; or as 44 bolls are to 64. 

 For an explanation of the cause of this, founded on chemical analysis, a pre- 

 mium of 20 sovereigns is offered. See Scotsman of Feb. 17., and Quart. Joum. 

 Agr. for June next (1838). 



"Effects of Wood on Climate. — For the best essay on the effects of woods on 

 climate, and showing how far the climate and productiveness of a district have 

 been or may be improved or altered by extensive plantations, a gold medal. 



" In the essays to be given in for this premium, it is wished that the general 

 principles advocated should, as far as possible, be supported by facts; and, in 

 particular, it is requested that reference be made to districts formerly bare of 

 wood, which have been extensively and judiciously planted within the last 30 

 or 40 years, and to the effect thereby produced on the climate, as well as on 

 the productiveness of the district. It is also desired that regard be had to the 

 comparative advantages and disadvantages in this respect of planting in masses, 

 stripes, clumps, and hedgerows, and the local situations proper for each. 

 Competitors will have in view how far the climate may have been modified or 

 improved by other causes, such as drainage. 



" Essays to be lodged on or before the 20th of October, 1838." 

 " " Disease in the Silver Fir. — The honorary silver medal will be given for the 

 best account of the disease which has of late years attacked the stem, larger 

 branches, and occasionally the twigs, of the silver fir (Piceapectinata), somewhat 

 resembling the well-known affection of the larch ; with suggestions, founded on 

 experience, for checking the progress of the malady, or for preventing it. 



