746 



Horticulture in Penzance. 



[Nov., 



18 inches and over on the deeper soils. The physical condition 

 of the soils is ideal as regards drainage and friability, there are 

 few stones, and the temperature rises rapidly under the in- 

 fluence of the sun in spring. The subsoil is for the most part 

 sand and gravel, although soils overlying the basalt rock have 

 been brought into cultivation. Lime is deficient over a large 

 area, and a general shortage of phosphates is indicated. 



System of Cropping. — Over a large area the sole rotation is 

 early potatoes and broccoli. The early potato crop is lifted 

 during the first three v^eeks of May, and the broccoli plants are 

 put out as soon after as the land and climatic conditions admit. 

 Early and late protecting varieties of broccoli are grown and 

 most of the seed is saved locally. This practice leads to the 

 production of a great variety of types, many of which are 

 coarse, loose, of bad colour, and apparently not to be compared 

 with some of the strains of broccoli in other parts of the coun- 

 try having a more vigorous climate. The county authorities 

 are endeavouring to help the growers in the matter of suitable 

 strains, and crosses are being made at Gulval. A considerable 

 amount of early cabbage is grown and despatched in nets to 

 the Midland markets. 



The varieties of early potatoes at present grown are May 

 Queen, Duke of York, Sharpe's Express and Advance. At one 

 time May Queen was the most popular variety, but it has been 

 superseded by Sharpe's Express. Next in importance are Duke 

 of York and Advance, the latter being Dargill Early under 

 another name. Express and Advance are not as early as May 

 Queen or Duke of York, but the Cornish grower finds that it 

 is better to be a week later in lifting provided a much larger 

 crop is obtained. On the very early soils both May Queen and 

 Duke of York are said to be losing their vitality. Seed used 

 to be obtained direct from Scotland, but in recent years once- 

 grown from Lincolnshire is used. The tubers are planted at 

 the rate of from 2 to 2J tons per acre, in rows 9 in. to 12 in. 

 apart and 4 to 6 in. between the sets. The seed is cut severely 

 to reduce the cost of seeding, and the crop is grown entirely 

 on the flat through the season of growth. The ground is 

 thoroughly worked with the spade or cultivator according to 

 the size of the field, and the potatoes are ploughed in with a 

 single-furrow plough or planted with the Cornish spade. Lift- 

 ing is always done with the spade, and the crop is placed in 

 bushel hampers, sieves or half-barrels and despatched to the 

 f?outh, midland, and northern markets. The crop usually 



