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should be the weight of tubers produced. This is theoretically true, 
and the results would be as stated, providing nothing interfered to pre¬ 
vent the foliage from duly performing its functions. It was found, how¬ 
ever, by a series of experiments, made in the London Horticultural 
Society’s garden, under the direction of Prof. Lindley, that the weight 
of potatoes per acre is greater under equal circumstances from sets than 
from whole tubers, by upwards of from 7 cwt. to 3 tons per acre. How, 
then, is this to be accounted for ? The reader may remember what was 
said of the injurious effects of displacing the leaves of the melon by 
pouring water upon them, and what beneficial results followed when 
means were adopted to keep the foliage in an erect position. The 
smaller produce of the potato plant raised from the large tubers, was 
owing to their excessive luxuriance ; the stems were more brittle than 
those of moderate growth, and the weight of the foliage they had to 
support was much greater ; they were consequently blown about, laid 
and broken by the -wind ; much of the foliage was thus shaded or de¬ 
stroyed, and the reproductive powers of the plant were diminished in 
consequence. 
It is possible that Knight’s method may prove useful if adopted with 
very early varieties only, or at all events with early varieties if planted 
in situations where they will not be exposed to strong winds. Plants of 
late varieties do not generally begin to form tubers till they have attained 
a considerable age; a quantity of the first formed leaves are employed 
in generating sap for the support and production of other leaves, hence 
the comparatively large development of stems and leaves of like varie¬ 
ties ; but plants of early varieties commence the formation of tubers at 
a very early period of their growth, consequently the sap generated by 
the first developed leaves has soon to contribute to the growth of tubers 
as well as leaves, and the growth of the plants is checked in conse¬ 
quence. 
It is common with some to cut off the leaves of lillies and other bulbs 
soon after they have flowered, and some gardeners mow off the leaves of 
their strawberry plants soon after the fruit is gathered,—the object in 
both cases being to make the garden look trim and neat. The question 
was raised in the Gardener’s Chronicle, for 1843, whether the practice 
was beneficial or otherwise. Lindley objected to the practice on general 
