334: 
The Potato in Jersey. 
trees of neighbourinfj hedges, which, traversing the soil, devoured 
its richness, to the detriment of the crops. 
The culture of potatoes prior to the manifestation of the 
disease may be thus described. In general, the crop followed 
turnips. In the early part of the year the ground received a 
light ploughing, from 3 to 4 inches deep ; it was then harrowed, 
and manure carted at the rate of 8 or 10 tons per vergee. In 
many cases, especially in the vicinity of the coasts, quantities of 
sea-weed were used as manure. Sometimes the manure was 
ploughed in some few inches, but generally it was allowed to 
remain on the surface, and a double furrow having been opened 
down the centre of the piece, the whole was left in readiness for 
" la grande ciiarruc" which generally took place in March and 
April. Although somewhat digressing from the object in view, 
we may perhaps better describe what is known in this island as 
unjour de grande charrue. It is this : a day fixed upon, for some 
weeks beforehand, for a number of farmers, generally neighbours, 
and more frequently political friends, to join in ploughing their 
land intended for potatoes, parsnips, mangolds, and carrots. 
This work always progresses cheerily, the good hostess never 
failing in her department to make everything agreeable to her 
friends ; nor do the younger members of the family or party the 
least enjoy themselves ; many look forward to these occasions 
for a little enlivenment ; it is, in fact, a day of recreation for the 
young, as well as of work for the elders. Each in his, or we 
may be permitted to say, also in her way, has a share in the 
conviviality and merriment attending these ploughing parties. 
Returning to the actual work, and to the period about which we 
were treating, let us say that as now 2 ploughs were used for 
this work, the smaller with 3 horses, and the larger with 8, 
and frequently 9 or 10 horses. The smaller plough taking the 
lead, with a furrow some 16 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, 
started from a headland, and going down the piece, turned the 
manure and crust into the hollow of the opened furrow ; when 
the large plough, following in its wake, brought up mould a foot 
or more in depth, and upheaving it over the crust and manure, 
left a clean and well-pulverised surface, which, when levelled 
and harrowed, was ready to receive the plant. The planting of 
potatoes was effected, as now, commonly by means of a small 
plough drawn by 1 horse. The drills or rows were usually 
about 18 inches wide; and the sets, generally cut to one eye, 
were placed about 0 inches distant in the rows. The average 
quantity of plant used at these distances would be about 
'10 cabots per vergee. Shoitly before the potatoes made their 
appearance above ground, a gentle harrowing was given to loosen 
the surface ; and as soon as the young plants attained some 6 or 
