24] In Perthſhire, when new ground is to be improved by a potatoe crop, they

are planted in lazy-beds.().. In Ayrſhire, lazy-beds are almoſt entirely laid aſide.(h)

Other Authorities.

Produced leſs with Mr. Macro, in Suffolk, than rows.(i) Mr. Billingſley, on comparative experience, prefers this method to drilling; makes his beds five feet wide, the alleys three feet; the ſets, one foot apart, covering not more than three inches deep with the earth.(k)

At Dolleſton, in Ireland, on rich leys, without dung, crop fixty barrels.)

Near Dublin the beds ſeven feet broad, and the trenches three and a half, and eighteen to twenty inches deep, in order to bring up ſome limeſtone gravel; always dung 320 one-horſe loads, fix to a ton.(m).

In Fifefhire, the greateſt crop ever raiſed there, was by raiſing an old fward with the ſpade and laid flat; the ſward then dibbled, when the plants appeared covered with earth, and repeated tilhten inches thick; produce 126 bolls per acre(n). This is plainly the lazy-bed way.

Common digging compared with lazy-beds, by Mr. Parkinſon of Doncaſter,

Lazy-beds, produced 2904 pecks per acre

Common methohdh 1210 Superioritiy 1694(0) oßsERVATIONS.

The practice, in this method of planting, which, is univerſal in Ireland, meets with great oppofition in England, except in the few diſtrids men- tioned in theſe authorities. Experiments are rathier contradictory; and while this mode is here highly commended, it will be ſeen in thie next Section, that the general practice of the kingdom is in another method. It does not hence reſult that the trials have been inaccurately made, or that any of the parties are miſtaken; each method may be peculiarly adapted to certain ſoils and fituations. In rough uncultivated ground, the lazy-beds may be preferahle; and in even cultivated lands, other modes. It muſt, however, be confeffed, that experiments are much wanted to aſcertain exactly the circumftances in which the lazy-bed method fhould, in preference, be adopted. The enquiry is important, and deſerves an attention it has not yet met with.

(&) Eaft Lothian, p. 39.(¼) Ayrſhire, p. 26.(7) Annals, vol. 7. p. 506. (£) Vol. 21. p. 5, 6.( Iriſh Tour, vol. I. p. 10.(mn) Vol. 1. p. 7. (a) Wight, vol. 1. p. 227.() MS. Papers of the Board.

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