On the Treatment of Deeayed Potatoes, ^ c. 
551 
like it with buds, or eyes, symmetrically arranged on each side. 
These buds are capable of growing plants, but when the whole 
tuber is planted it is usual for them to yield to the upper buds or 
crown, either by not putting forth shoots at all, or by giving very 
feeble ones. There are two periods at which the tubers are 
planted : usually the spring is selected, but autumn or winter has 
been found to answer equally well, if they are planted deep 
enough to prevent the attacks of frost. The advantage of planting 
them now consists in the earlier return which is obtained, the 
increased chance of safety which it gives to the tender tubers to 
surnve the season, and to yield a produce which may escape the 
scourge next year. In planting potatoes now, it is indispensable 
to dry them in the sun, and even to green them so as to enable the 
tubers to resist decay. The practice is not a new one, having 
been followed for many years in the district of Fingal for the 
purpose of supplying the Dublin market at an early season. It 
has received the sanction of Professor Lindlcy, whose authority 
in such matters is verv great ; and it has been practically tested 
and approved of by eminent agriculturists, among whom it may 
be sutficient to mention Mr. Grey, of Dilston, who has found that 
there is an actual increase of one-third in the produce of autumn- 
planted potatoes over those which are planted in spring. It is a 
matter of common observation, that potatoes which have remained 
in the earth during the winter, are found to be in a sound state 
when the land is ploughed up for other crops in the spring. The 
advantages of early planting are certainly due to a considerable 
extent to the careless mode of preserving our stored-up tubers till 
spring. We have been accustomed to view the potato as a plant 
which will grow anywhere, and keep under any circumstances. 
We have treated it in the most rude wav, both in its cultivation 
and preservation — in a manner much more rude than we have 
dared to employ towards any other field crops. During the last 
few years the potato has begun to rebel against this cruel treat- 
ment ; its sets have rotted in the ground and refused to grow as 
usual, and it has alarmed growers with the apprehension that it is 
about to forsake them altogether. Undoubtedly it will do so in 
course of time, unless it receives more tender treatment at their 
hands, unless it is stored with the same care as to ventilation and 
dryness which we give to our other crops, and receive somewhat 
more of attention in its cultivation. Our old mode of pitting 
potatoes is in every way reprehensilile ; and it is only wonderful — 
shut out as they have been from air, exposed to moisture and de- 
caying emanations, covered over with damp coverings of clav, 
through which no air could penetrate — that their vital vigour has 
lasted so long as, year after year, still to supply us with food. It 
is because the conditions in which they are placed under ground 
