The Potato in Jersey. 
135 
9 inches in height, the small hoeing-up plough was driven 
between the rows. This done, the piece was left until the fall 
of the year, when the tubers were raised for sale, or for store, as 
the case might be. The produce averaged from 8 to 10 cabots 
of saleable potatoes per perch. The markets were then chiefly 
the mining districts of England, Portugal, the Mediterranean 
ports, and Brazil. Instances are on record when the produce 
has reached the almost fabulous return of 16 cabots per perch. 
The varieties cultivated in those palmj days were commonly 
known as " Les degenerees " and " Leu Blues." The " Stayner " 
also, brought to the island by a gentleman of that name, was at 
one time extensively grown. Some varieties were raised from 
seed ; among these is a red potato, still well known in St. 
Ouen's, which was raised at Vinchelez-de-Haut, which, although 
not large, is of a remarkably good flavour, and has the im- 
portant property of keeping good late in the season. The late 
Mr. James Hammond also successfully raised an early and good 
variety. Besides these, the York kidney and the York red were 
introduced to the island, but one and all suffered from the disease, 
though some varieties felt it more than others did. The once 
famous Jersey Blue all but disappeared, and a coarse late potato, 
which here went under the name of "pink eye," succeeded it. 
For some years this was grown solely because it seemed to with- 
stand the disease better than the generality of other varieties. 
The Regent next followed, a potato which never attained a large 
size, but which was of superior quality ; although now cultivated 
by a few, the late fluke may be said to have taken its place.* 
VVe can remember, before the setting in of the potato disease, 
having seen the haulms rise above ground nearly as high as the 
surrounding hedges ; and on the 1st October, when shooting- 
parties went through the fields, the dogs run completely hidden 
between the rows, as through a furze-brake. Even after all 
vegetation had ceased, so strong was the haulm that it remained 
standing and dried up like so many sticks. The haulm was 
made into faggots, and stored away for fuel. As may be 
imagined, no sort of weed could possibly live in a piece of 
potatoes like this. Everything was smothered by the vigorous 
habit of the plant. But when the providential visitation on 
the potato took place, and the disease broke out in its worst 
form, how different was the aspect of those fields. The strong 
haulm was no more seen, for as early as the first week of July 
the leaves began to blacken and fall, then the stalks rotted, and 
with a most disagreeable smell entirely disappeared, and left the 
* At present the cultivation of late potatoes is small. In the winter-season 
French-grown produce partially supplies the town-population. The introduction 
of French potatoes to the island began about 1850-57. 
