0BSERVATION.
It is pretty generally known that an old graſs lay, or layer, as it is called in ſome counties, is an excellent preparation for potatoes. In Ireland it is almoſt the general method of breaking up old graſs land, to let it at very high rents to the poor people to plant potatoes on. Two methods of culture are here noted, plowing the lay and digging it; but there does not ſeem to be equal authority for the produce being io large from the plough as from the ſpade; which, in this caſe, appears to be a ſuccefsful mode of culture. Experiments made with a view to aſcertain this point ſeem, however, yet to be wanting.
SECTITON II.
OF MOOR AND MOUNTAIN LAND AND B0G, AS A PREPARATION FOR POTATOEsS.
Authorities from tbe County Reports.
IN Dumbartonſhire the potatoe culture for improving waſte and moſſy ſoils, univerſally acknowledged to be of great advantage. Cutting down bruſh- wood, and removing great ſtones, is the whole preparation previous to planting. The lazy bed-way always followed.(a).
In Weſt Lothian it is obſerved, that the upland parts of the county produce larger crops than the more cultivated and low ſituations.(ε
In Eaſt Lothian, in the high diſtriét, the crops more productive than in the low part of the county: ſixty bolls, barley meaſure, is not reckoned a great crop; but, in the low diſtrict, rarely more than forty or fifty(c.).
Sir W. Stirling, in Perthfhire, has often raiſed forty bolls of potatoes on an acre of light moor not worth 1s.— rent at Ss. only, here are two hundred rents.(d)
In Roxburghlhire, Baron Rutherford has found them the beſt means of bringing waſte lands into culture.(e)
In Dumbartonfhire, Sir James Colquhoun improved a peat moſs by planting
otatoes in the lazy bed-way; ſowed oats after them, meadow ſoft graſs with the oats, which is excellently adapted to moſſy ſoils, as it ſpreads quickly. This was mown every ycar, the bog being ten or twelve feet deep, could not be
paſtured.
ſa, Dumbarton, p. 5.. 6/ Weſt Lothian, p. 25. ſc) Eaſt Lothian, p. 81. (d) Perth, p. 40. ſe)] P. 33. Dumbarton, 52.