58 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



vation, than usually falls to the lot of men en- 

 gaged in the business. 



We should be very much obliged for any in- 

 formation that will assist our esteemed corres- 

 pondent. 



From the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 THE POTATO. 



Mr. Editor, — It is, perhaps, not generally 

 known to the subscribers of the Farmers' Cabi- 

 net, that in the potato there are two parts, which, 

 if separated and planted at the same time, one 

 will produce tubers fit for the table eight or ten 

 days earlier than the other. This fact has fallen 

 under my own observation, and is the plan I 

 now pursue in order to obtain an early supply 

 for my table, fine and very mealy. The apex 

 or small end of the potato, which is generally 

 full of eyes, is that part that produces the ear- 

 liest — the middle or body of the potato produces 

 later, and always large ones. The butt or navel 

 end is worthless, except for feeding stock, and, 

 if planted, produces very indifferent small ones, 

 and often none at all, the eyes, if any, being 

 imperfectly formed. The potato being cut two 

 weeks before planted, and spread on a floor, that 

 the wounds may heal, separating the small end 

 from the middle, then cutting off the navel or 

 butt, the body or middle of the potato is then 

 divided into two pieces lengthwise, taking care 

 to have always the largest and finest selected, 

 being convinced that if none but large potatoes 

 are planted, large ones will be again produced — 

 small things produce small things again, and 

 therefore no small potatoes should be planted ; 

 this practice is too prevalent, and may account 

 for the many varieties and small potatoes met 

 with in our markets. Who would not prefer 

 a large mealy potato to a small one, that will 

 take hours to boil soft, and then may only be fit 

 to feed the cattle with? 



For several years past I have adopted the 

 plan of putting potatoes into the ground late in 

 the fall, covenng them with manure, sometimes 

 with tanners' waste bark, and always have suc- 

 ceeded in raising a fine early crop. Last fall I 

 had taken up some as fine and large Mercer po- 

 tatoes as anyone could wish; they were co- 

 vered with tan six inches thick the preceding 

 fall ; many weighed sixteen ounces. No parti- 

 cular care or attention was bestowed upon them 

 through the summer, the tan not permitting any 

 weeds to trouble them, or to draw out the nour- 

 ishment from the earth, they had therefore nil 

 the benefit of the soil, kept moist and clean by 

 the tan, for tan will keep the ground moist and 

 clean, and in an improved state in the driest 

 season. I have found the great advantage of it 

 to my asparagus and strawberry beds, which 

 are annually covered with it. 



The potato I consider so valuable and indis- 

 pensable a vegetable, and having never seen a 

 suggestion in print of separating the potato and 

 planting each by itself, that I have been induced 

 to send you this imperfect and hastily drawn up 

 communication. Perhaps you may think it 

 worthy a place in the Farmers' Cabinet, and if 

 so, should be pleased to hear that some of its 

 patrons will try the experiment of planting se- 

 parately each part of the tuber, believing that 

 the potato may be much improved by a due re- 

 gard to the above suggestions. 



J. F. H. 



Lancaster, February 26, 1842. 



NEW HORSE SHOE. 



A simple but most ingenious invention has 

 been laid before us in the shape of an improve- 

 ment in the horse shoe. It is that of making 

 that part of the shoe which is now solid con- 

 cave ; by which the foot is enabled to take a 

 grip, which with the ordinary shoe, is impossi- 

 ble. The principle is, in fact, that of the fluted 

 skate ; and whilst the shoe is, of course, lighter 

 than when manufactured on the usual principle, 

 it is equivalent in slippery weather, or on wood 

 pavement, to one that is roughed. The conca- 

 vity runs entirely round the shoe, having a 

 strong rim in form, equal in thickness to the 

 hoof of the horse's foot, and another at the 

 back, of half that thickness. This mode of for- 

 mation, whilst it involves the use of a smaller 

 quantity of iron, and consequently less weight, 

 gives a far greater purchase, and is much more 

 in accordance with the nature, form, and texture 

 of the horse's foot. By preventing the necessity 

 of turning up the shoe behind, it places the foot 

 in a more natural position, and thus assists in 

 | bringing into operation the frog, instead of plac- 

 j ing it out of action, and straining all the other 

 | parts of the foot. — United Service Gazette, Eng- 

 land. 



For the Southern Planter. 

 SOAP-STONE AND COAL-TAR. 



Messrs. Editors, — If yourselves or any of your 

 numerous readers can give me any information 

 relative to the application of oil and soap-stone 

 to the roofs of buildings with a view to making 

 them fire-proof, I would be very thankful for it. 

 Having seen in agricultural papers so many 

 puffs of what, afterwards proved to be worse 

 than useless, I repose but little confidence in 

 theories which have not been submitted to the 

 touch-stone of experience. 



Will the mixture of oil and soap-stone, there- 

 fore, render the roof of a house fire- proof ? and 

 will it last long % or will it require frequent re- 

 newal ? 



I would also inquire, gentlemen, whether 



