SOLANUM TUBEROSUM. 



Mr. Grollan tells me that the best time to sow the acclimatized varieties is from 

 the middle of September to the middle of October, and that the hill kinds and those im- 

 ported from Europe must be sown later. Water is freely given during growth, but 

 the quantity is reduced when the leaves begin to turn yellow. On the hills the sets are 

 planted out in February and March. If the soil is naturally rich manure is not essen- 

 tial, but in the plains manure is always given. 



The following account of potato cultivation in the Farukkabad district is taken 

 from the Gazetteer of that district, p. 46 : — 



" As the first of two yearly crops, maize is followed by opium or barley ; but when a third 

 " crop is expected, by potatoes. When the last cob has been cut, and the last stalk removed to be 

 " eaten by the cattle, the roots are dug up and the field is manured for potatoes. Brought in carts 

 " or on bullocks, and thrown down in small heaps about eight or ten yards apart, the manure is at 

 "length spread over the surface. The quantity depends very much on the purchasing ability of 

 " the cultivator. But an average weight of about 30 tons an acre, and an average cost of about 

 " Rs. 50, is a fair estimate. This manure consists of the sweepings of the town or village, but is 

 " often supplemented by other refuse, such as indigo seed. 



"Manuring completed, the field is ploughed three or four times — a laborious process, which 

 " occupies some two days and a half per acre. The surface of the field is next levelled with the 

 " patela or clod-crusher ; and this done, is divided into a number of beds called pahal or tddri." 



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" The potatoes used for seed are planted along the tops of the ridges, the object of those ridges 

 " being to allow the water to reach the root of the plant without rising above it. The quantity of 

 " seed varies from 5 to 7 maunds an acre, and its price ranges from Rs. 5 to 7 a maund. The 

 " seed potatoes are sown whole, and not cut up as in England. The sowing, a lengthy process, is 

 " of course done by hand. About 23 men are required to sow an acre in one day. Between the 

 " sowings and/ the ripening of the crop but two operations are needed, irrigation and dressing the 

 " ridges. Potatoes need a large amount of water, and are grown at a time when there is usually 

 " but little rain. Hence they receive from seven to eleven irrigations, nine being the most 

 " common number. To irrigate an acre will occupy some four days only. The shortness of the 

 " process is due to the fact that the ground is never suffered to dry, and that its droughts are 

 " therefore shorter. The ridges in which the potatoes have been sown gradually subside during 

 " the course of irrigation, and the roots, growing larger, become exposed. It is then necessary to 

 " heap fresh earth on them, and this is done three times. The labour increases as the plants, grow- 

 " ing higher, require more earth to be thrown up. At the first dressing 15 men will suffice to 

 " complete tho process for an acre field in one day. But the second dressing calls for 20, and 

 "the third 25 men. These operations continue till the middle of January, when in some years 

 " the potatoes are ready to be dug up ; but in others the ripening is delayed till the end of the 

 " following month. It requires about 20 persons to dig an acre of potatoes, women and boys being 

 " generally employed for the purpose. The amount of the produce depends almost entirely on the 

 " quantity and strength of the manure employed. In eighteen experiments by Mr. Evans the 

 "produce per acre varied between 115 and 247 maunds, the average being 160. The value, too, 

 " differs somewhat from year to year. The price sunk, for instance, from Re. 1-3-6 in 1869 to 

 " Re. 0-9-0 in 1873. It will be seen, then, that it is very difficult to calculate the profits of a 

 " potato crop. If the wholo cost of the manure — the most important item in the expenditure — be 

 " debited to the potatoes, and their market-price happens to be low, the net balance will be very 

 " little, if anything. But the tobacco that follows and the maize crop that preceded, being grown 

 "on the same land without requiring other manure, bring in largo profits." 



