44 
THE Parmer’s manuat,. 
No. 2 contained 130 potatoes, which weighed 
32lbs. 2oz. and occupied 9 feet in length. 
No. 3 contained 146 potatoes, which weighed 
31 lbs. 2oz. and occupied 13 feet in length; total 
9 libs. 14oz. or I23cwt. to the acre*.” 
This result corresponds with my own experience 
for many years, and deserves attention, by its saving 
in the expense of seed. If 4 sets were placed in the 
hill at the distance of 5 or 6 inches asunder, and the 
hills 3 feet apart, they would probably produce as 
many pounds of potatoes, with a handsome saving 
of expense at digging. Some farmers cart on 10, 
15, or 20 loads of long dung, and spread it on the 
field, and ridge it in, by lapping two furrows together, 
and plant their potatoes on the ridges in hills, from 
2 to 3 feet asunder; hoe the potatoes twice upon the 
ridges, and keep the ground clenn with the plough, 
between the ridges, in the furrows ; others plough 
up the land smooth, and strike out the ground into 
furrows of 3 feet asunder, set the potatoes (when cut 
into one or two eye sets) at 10 or 12 inches distance, 
in each furrow; cover them lightly with the plough, 
and keep the land clean by ploughing up to the rows 
two or three times, as the season may require. In 
autumn, they turn off the earth from the rows with 
the plough, and dig with the hoe, this answers well ; 
* All Nature is governed by fixed and immutable laws, or princi- 
ples, and the true art of husbandry consists in a correct knowledge 
of the laws, or principles, of each plant, either separately, or collec- 
tively, in connection with other plants, and in adapting the culture 
directly to the assistance of nature. 
By this example it will be seen, tJiat the potatoe does not strike 
deep in the earth ; but extends horizontally, at a given distance, be- 
neath the surface, where it can derive its proper nutriment from the 
sun, air and rains ; if yon plant below this natural state, or earth up 
your plants by hilling too much, you counteract nature, and check 
the growth of the first settings, by cove«ing them below their natural 
depth, and if you hill up your potatoes too often, you will increase 
the number of potatoes in your bills ; but they will be small, fur tliey 
will form new sets at each hoeing ; therefore, hoe but twice, -if it is 
possible to keep down the weeds without a third bocing. 
