By John Lindley, Esq. 157 



tons. None yielded less than two tons, and only 3 so little. The 

 twenty kinds averaged more than ten tons an acre. 



It should here be remarked that the Potatoe growers about 

 London reckon upon from eight to ten tons an acre, considering 

 eight tons a fair crop, and ten tons a large one. Certain sorts, such 

 as the Oxnoble and the Wellington, will occasionally yield twelve 

 tons. One of Mr. Knight's (No. 17) yielded above fourteen tons ; 

 another (No. 4) above fifteen tons ; another (No. 16) above seven- 

 teen ; and another (No. 2) above eighteen ; but none of those equal- 

 led the Salmon coloured Kidney, and the Divergent e, both of which 

 produced at the rate of above twenty-one tons * 



Such are the results deduced from a trial of forty-five sorts, all 

 cultivated in spaces four feet square for each plant. But it is obvi- 

 ous that in practice this distance is only applicable to large, tall, 

 strong growing sorts, such as the generality of Mr. Knight's seed- 

 lings, and that it is not fair to judge of dwarf weak sorts, producing 

 few stems and leaves, by such a standard. '1 he distance at which 

 it may be most advantageous to plant Potatoes, will be determined 

 by the natural habits of a variety. 



It is therefore an interesting enq u'ry to determine how nearly Mr, 

 Knight's average is approached by the old varieties grown upon a 

 different plan, and how far the produce of each is affected by a cul- 

 tivation of a greater number of plants in the same space. For this 

 purpose I caused sixteen feet square of the principal part of the old 

 varieties, planted in rows two feet apart, and a foot from plant to 

 plant, to be taken up, washed, dried, and accurately weighed, from 

 which another Table (B) has been prepared, in which a comparison 

 is instituted between the produce per acre of the sorts respectively 

 under the two methods of culture ; to which has been added an esti- 

 mate of their rate of increase under their peculiar circumstances. 



* The Salmon-coloured Kidney is an excellent white mealy sort; of Mr. Knight's, 

 No. 17 is rather large, but firm, white, mealy and excellent; No. 4 is very large, but 

 solid, and of excellent quality; No. 16 is large, solid, mealy, white, delicate, and one of 

 the best Potatoes I know: in substance and appearance it resembles a White ^ am, for 

 which reason we have called it the Downton Yam Potatoe; No. 2 is yellowish, firm 

 and mealy, but not first rate. 



