Cultivation of Arable Land.— Potatoes. 609

ter, and the weeds are more effeftually deftroyed*. But at whatever period the crop may be put into the ground, the bufinefs fhould be performed as much as poflible when the weather is dry, and the land not too much foaked with moifture, as under fuch circumftances the early vegetation of the crop always proceeds in a more regular and expeditious manner, by which the pro- duce is generally rendered better in quality and more abundant.

Seed.—In the choice of potatoe feed for the purpofe of planting, it is necef- fary to attend to the differences in the varieties, in refpet to forwardnefs, their qualities as food for man or animals, and the variation in their produ€tivenefs; as upon the properly adapting thefe to the nature of the foil and climate, as well as the views of the cultivator, much advantage may probably be obtained in the culture of the crop. It is generally recommended, that the fets fhould be taken from fuch potatoes as are the fineft and moft perfeé of their kinds, as by fuch means better crops may be produced, at the fame time that there will be lefs rifk of their being attacked by difeafe. And it is contended by fome, that, from the eyes being ftronger in fuch large-fized potatoes, ftronger and more vigorous plants are produced, and of courfe a larger produce afforded. The difference between the ufe of large and fmall potatoes, for the purpofe of feed, being in the proportion of thirty facks to the acre in favour of the former T. It may alfo be of great advantage in the culture of this root, to take the feed or fets from fuch varieties as have not been too long cultivated, as it has been found, that the continuing the cultivation of the fame forts for fome length of time has a tendency not only to injure the quality, but leflen the quantity of the produce}. It has likewife been fuggefted, that the potatoes intended for feed fhould be raifed without manure in fuch foils as are of the fertile kind; and on thofe that are of a poor quality, by a lefs proportion than is ufually the cafe, and without fo much earthing up in the after-culture of the crop, as, by fuch means, it is fuppofed there may be lefs danger of the crops becoming affe ted by difeafe|. In the fame intention, it has been recommended by different cultivators to change the feed every two years, carefully collecting fuch as is brought from a confiderable diftance. It would feem probable, however, that, in guarding againft accidents of this kind, much depends upon the ground be- ing well prepared for the reception of the crop, and on the after-culture being

perfeétly performed.

* Campbell, in Bath Papers, vol. IX.+ Experienced Farmer, vol. I. + Bath Papers, vol. IX, i) Correéted Report of Middlefex, and TranfaCtions of the Society of Arts,&Ce

7 de