[211 ] 



XL. On the Culture of the Potatoe in Hot-beds. % Thomas 

 Andrew Knight, Esq. F. R. S. $c. 



Read November 6, 1810. 



The Potatoe being now very extensively cultivated under 

 glass, and with artificial heat, any improvement of its culture 

 will probably prove acceptable to many readers of the Hor- 

 ticultural Transactions ; and I am therefore induced to send 

 the following account of some methods which 1 have prac- 

 tised with success, and which will, I believe, be found better 

 than any at present generally known. 



The varieties of Potatoes, which are well calculated for 

 early forcing, begin to vegetate before Christmas ; and it is 

 of consequence to preserve the germs and roots first emitted 

 from injury, where a crop of good Potatoes is required before 

 the end of May. I therefore plant my Potatoes in pots of 

 about six inches diameter, in January (a single Potatoe in 

 each), and the pots are then placed in the ground, and co- 

 vered with litter, to protect them from frost; and in this 

 situation they remain till the hot-bed is ready to receive them. 

 In the mean time the roots extend themselves through the 

 mould within the pots, and the germs reach its surface; 

 whilst the excitability of the plants is not at all expended on 

 account of the low temperature in which they vegetate : and, 

 therefore, when plunged into the hot-bed, they instantly shoot 



