By Dr. Noehden. 



51 



Besides producing young Potatoes, I will mention a method 

 of preserving them, as such, for winter use. By young Pota- 

 toes, I take for granted, are generally understood those 

 tubers, which have not attained their full age and growth. 

 In this stage, the substance is generally finer grained, and 

 more cohesive, than when they are farther advanced : they 

 are what is called waxy, and differ, in taste, from those which 

 are full grown. If they could be preserved in this state, 

 through the winter, for the use of the table, it would doubt- 

 less be an acquisition : and something of this kind I have 

 seen attempted. When the general crop of potatoes was 

 gathered, at the usual period of their harvest, in autumn, 

 the small tubers, which are frequently disregarded, and left 

 to their chance, were picked out, and collected. They were 

 deposited in a box, between layers of sand, and thus kept till 

 the month of December. At this time, the box being opened, 

 they were found in perfect preservation, and fit to be dressed 

 for the table. To give them all the appearance of young 

 potatoes, in a side dish, the tender skin on them was to be 

 preserved : for peeling them would have destroyed' that ef- 

 fect. It was recommended, for that purpose, when they were 

 to be used, previously to soak them, for a certain number 

 of hours, in water, and then to toss, or shake them, in a piece 

 of rough flannel or baize, between two persons, backwards 

 and forwards, and rub them between the hands ; by which 



have been exhibited before the Society, which had been raised in a similar man- 

 ner ; and I have remarked, that those were found the best which had been grown 

 in mould, or some sort of compost. Whence I draw the conclusion, that the 

 quality of the produce will depend upon the nature of the soil, in which it is 

 generated. 



