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XXXVI. Account of a Method of growing early forced Potatoes. 

 By Mr. Thomas Hogg, of Pine Apple Place, Paddington. 



Read February 7, 1815. 



The object attained by the following method is that of 

 raising young Potatoes at an earlier period of the year than 

 they can be produced by the usual means of a common hot- 

 bed, and though the taste of the majority of persons will 

 probably prefer the old and mature root, in February, yet the 

 price paid in this metropolis for young Potatoes grown during 

 that month is a proof that they are in sufficient request, as 

 an article of luxury, to induce both the market and private 

 gardeners to attend to their cultivation. 



The chief peculiarity of the method consists in using an 

 old Cucumber bed or Melon bed, in which the dung has long 

 lost all its heat, instead, of making one of fresh hot dung, 

 whereon to grow T the plants. 



The sets should be cut about a fortnight before they are 

 planted : for if they are not sufficiently dried before they are 

 put into the earth, they are liable to be much injured by 

 worms ; one eye only should be left in each set. 



The bed is prepared by removing all the earth from the 

 top of the dung, and covering it about one inch deep with 

 fresh mould, on which the sets are planted, in rows six 

 inches apart, and the same distance from each other in the 

 rows ; they are then covered four inches deep with mould, 

 and the frames and glasses are placed upon the bed, which 



