OF THE LEAVES OF A PLANT? 



107 



ration, and that the rate of growth was so impeded that, although 

 the crop was saved from disease, the amount of loss in the crop 

 that was untouched was trifling compared with that sustained by 

 the removal of the stems. The experiment, moreover, does not 

 show whether the tubers increased in weight or not after the 

 operation. 



But an experiment by Mr. Dooville, of Alphington, near 

 Exeter, recorded in the 6 Gardener's Chronicle/ does not confirm 

 Mr. Thompson's conclusions. That gentleman says: — 



" In the beginning of last November I planted the Early Frame 

 Potato, a later white sort, and the Queen's Noble, a still later 

 Potato. Fresh slaked lime was spread over the ground and 

 turned in upon the sets as each row was planted, to prevent the 

 ravage of slugs during the winter. No other manure was used. 



" On the 14th of July, the Potatoes being still in flower, 1 cut 

 off the stems of two rows of the later white sort, and earthed 

 them over about 2 inches, leaving two rows in their natural state. 

 Adjoining were several rows of the Queen's Noble. I cut dow n 

 three rows of these and earthed them over. Early in July I 

 perceived symptoms of disease (black spots) upon some of the 

 leaves; it spread more after some showers which fell about the 

 24th. The haulms of the Early Frame had then assumed an 

 appearance of natural decay. I cut them all down. They were 

 taken up on the 21st of August, all sound, and a fair average 

 crop. 



" Finding the disease was spreading, and that the stems as well 

 as the leaves of the Queen's Noble had become much affected, I, 

 on the 14th of August, cut down the remainder, and earthed 

 them over. On the 4th of September I caused three rows of the 

 Queen's Noble, cut down on the 14th of July, and three rows 

 cut down on the 14th of August, to be taken up. Those cut 

 down July 14th produced — 



1 row, 55 feet in length . . 15{ lbs., tubers all sound. 



2 do. do. .. 18J do. all sound. 



3 do. do. . . 16i do. all sound. 



" The tubers small ; the largest size weighed 3 oz. Those cut 

 down on the 14th of August produced— 



1 row, 55 feet in length . . 44f lbs., 32 tubers diseased. 



2 do. do. . . 42f do. 27 do. diseased. 



3 do. do. . . 39 do. 8 do. diseased. 



M The tubers generally of good average size ; the largest weighed 

 8 and 9 oz. I was, I must confess, disappointed with the result 

 in the first case. I then proceeded to take up two rows of the 

 White Potato, cut down on the 14th of July, and two rows which 



i 2 



