CULTURE OF THE POTATOE. 
63 
from populous towns, they have been extensively appropriated to the 
feeding of cattle, a practice, when judiciously managed, which is well 
calculated to yield a fair profit to the grower, and enable him to im¬ 
prove his land by the extra manure made by the cattle while so fed. 
11 is not my intention^ to enter on a general history of the potatoe, 
but merely to throw out a few hints respecting its culture and appli¬ 
cation. There are now so many sorts of potatoes, and those so well 
known, that the merest tvro cannot be at a loss to know which he 
should grow. I will suppose, then, in the first place, that an early 
crop is required, (I do not include forced potatoes, as they must be 
considered exceptions to the general rule) and, for general early pro¬ 
duction, I know of none better than the Early Manly, Goldfinder, 
and Ash-leaved Kidney. For a good full crop, the Early Shaw is 
an excellent potatoe, coming in about a fortnight after the dthers. 
Next follows the Early Champion, an excellent potatoe, retaining its 
properties through the winter months, which is followed by various 
later kinds, as the different sorts of kidneys, &c. too numerous to 
be mentioned here. Much has been said on the culture of the pota¬ 
toe, particularly as the manner of cutting the sets, and planting, but 
it is impossible to lay down a rule applicable to every case. Local 
circumstances will ever suggest deviations to the experienced grower, 
and experience alone will enable him so to order his arrangements 
that he may look forward with confidence, to a favourable result.— 
Some persons recommend light or shallow digging, or ploughing, 
with but little manure, for potatoes. By this method, quality may 
be obtained, but quantity is out of the question. Others propose 
deep culture, with plenty of manure, by which a much greater quan- 
tity may be obtained; but it is best to avoid both extremes. For 
early crops, I have found it much the best to dig or plough in the 
manure in autumn, giving the ground another moving in the spring, 
which renders it lighter, and diffuses the manure more generally 
through the soil. I am of opinion the ground cannot be worked too 
much for potatoes, particularly if it be of a binding quality. As 
respects the sets, I should say, take them from potatoes that are not 
exhausted by growing in the heap. Give them sufficient room be¬ 
tween the rows, that they may have the benefit of light and air 
around them, giving them sufficient mould to cover the roots, and to 
prevent the tubers from becoming green. By proper attention to 
these rules, a good crop may reasonably be expected. 
I believe, in some instances, good crops have been obtained where 
they have not been earthed at all, but it is not a good plan, as there 
is always a much greater proportion of green tubers in crops not 
