Farming of Devonshire. 
463 
food is seldom consumed with these roots, either on the land or 
in the fatting shed. The value of these agents is very imper- 
fectly estimated, for with a judicious selection it is the cheapest 
mode of enriching a farm. 
The potato, until the last three years, was after the turnip the 
most important of our root-crops. Its cultivation as a field-crop 
was practised in Devonshire as soon as in {if not prior to) any 
other part of England or Scotland; and for this early introduction 
we are indebted to Sir Walter Raleigh. The soil of a large 
portion of the county is well adapted for its growth, but the land 
near Moreton Hampstead has been celebrated for many years 
for the quality of the roots grown there. The soil is decomposed 
granite, which is peculiarly suited to this root, being free in its 
nature, and containing a large supply of the alkali potash, which 
is so necessary for the healthy development of this plant. This 
land was reclaimed from the moor in or about the year 1700, but 
previously it existed in a condition similar to that by which it is 
now surrounded. The potato was from the first extensively culti- 
vated there, and the management was very much the same as that 
now adopted. Chappie thus describes its tillage: " None have 
more industriously applied themselves to the cultivation of this 
valuable root than the inhabitants of Moreton Hampstead; who 
have converted their furzy downs into good pasture and tillage 
land, affording a sufficient manure of lime and dung, and then 
tilling it with potatoes, which, besides ameliorating the ground 
and fitting it for corn, yield of themselves a profitable return. 
After which they have two, or sometimes three, corn-crops 
without any further manure, and they lay it down for some time 
as pasture." The present disease in the potato, having occasioned 
severe losses to many farmers in this county, will lessen (for a 
time) its culture ; but I anticipate that, as the cause is probably 
atmospheric agency, and not any diminished vigour in the plant, 
we shall ere long obtain them in the same healthy condition 
as that in which they existed prior to this disease. 
Mangold wurzel. — This root is not ext^sively cultivated in 
Devonshire, although the large produce obtained in some parts 
proves that it is worthy of greater attention. In the neighbour- 
hood of Tavistock it is cultivated with great spirit and success; 
but in the West it is seldom attempted, partly from the poverty 
of the soil, and also from the land not being prepared for the 
early sowing this plant requires. The latter results from post- 
poning the autumn culture until the busy season of spring. 
The carrot has not received the attention of the agriculturists 
of this part to the extent it deserves. Its high value as a food, 
coupled with the fact that it does not materially impoverish the 
surface soil, are strong points in its favour, and demand our con- 
