Cultivation of the Potato. 
355 
Thus much for opinion, but practice is real evidence. I have 
very frecjuentlv tried the experiment on one half of a bed, leaving 
the other half not picked off, and could never find any difference 
in the produce, the injury done in picking off the blossoms Cjuite 
balancing the good that the tuber derives from the absence of 
blossoms. 
The cost of planting an acre of potatoes properly " itli the breast- 
plough, 2 furrows deep, is about 25s. 6f?. : three times hoeing at Gj. 
each time, ISs. ; taking up and securing in ordinary soils, 25s. 
The quantitv of tubers required to plant an acre, if middle-sized, 
about ]2i cwt. ; if large, 14 cwt. 
If manure is used it should be spread equally over the ground : 
the extremities of the fibre reach a long way from the set, and it is 
these that take up the food. When the manure is put in the row 
on the sets, as is usually done, if it is pretty well charged with am- 
monia, it burns the young fibres just as they are emitted, and con- 
sequently they are of no use in taking up food for the plant. I 
have examined hundreds of sets that have been spoiled in this w ay. 
In low, cold, v. et, and adhesive soils, where it is necessary to use 
unfermented manure, and to cast the land into ridges, it is best to 
dig or plough it in previous to planting, and at planting time to 
level the ground. Plant in rows on the surface, and cover with 
the soil that is taken out of the trenches ; the e.vpense is about 
the same as breast-ploughing, or but a trifle more. 
It has been recommended to plant potatoes on liillocks in 
preference to this mode : I cannot discover the advantage by expe- 
riments that 1 have made, but havp always found the diflerence ia 
favour of the rows. 
The mode of cooking potatoes bv steam is, I think, the best ; 
but if this convenience is not attainable, the water should be drawn 
off a minute or two before they are soft, and a little salt strewed 
over them, and covered close a few minutes, which will greatly 
improve the flavour and the wholesomeness of the potato. 
In the modes of cultivation which I now recommend, I have 
adduced nothing but what I have proved by praciical experience; 
neither have I recommended anything that is unattainable or ex- 
pensive, beyond the reach of the smallest means. 
Lonijfords House, JMinchinhainpton, Gloucestershit e. 
XXX. — Experiment in raising a Crop of Siccdes upon ban-en 
Land icith artificial Manure. By the Rev. A. Hcxt.\ble. 
To Lord Portman. 
My dear Lord, — I have not failed to bear in mind the wish 
which you did me the honour to express that I should send to the 
Royal Agricultural Society an account of my attempt, which has 
