35 1
In Dumfriesſhire, beſides much attention to keep the rows clean, as ſoon as the young plants appear, they harrow, not acroſs, but in the direction of the furrows.(ε*
Other Authorities.
Mr. Billingſley, after the plants have been up about three weeks, hoes them; but by no means lets the hoe be uſed after the plants begin to throw out their ſtrings; removes weeds by hand. Horſe-hoeing cuts the potatoes, and tears the fibres or ſtrings on which the bulbs are formed. PM
Mr. Dann, in the courſe of the ſummer, generally horſe-hoes thrice; by the laſt of which they are earthed up by a circular iron plate, fixed to the ſtem of the brake or horſe-hoe; ſometimes an additional earthing is given; hut the plate of the hoe fhould be cut two or three inches narrower before the laſt horſe-hocing, otherwiſe the young potatoes may be injured.(£‿QO
OB8ERVATION.
So many cultivators horſe-hoe their crops quite through the period of growth, and apparently without injury to the crop, that the hints here given againſt cutting the bearing ſtrings, throw ſome little obſcurity on the ſubject. Probably the hoeing, when ſucceſsful, is done tenderly, and in every operation receding from the rows. Such a conduèt will unite with the other idea: but experiments are wanting fully to explain the degree of ap- proach relative to the growth, and alſo what variations different ſorts of potatoes may occaſion.
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§S ECTION III. EARTIHING VUp.
Authoriy ſrom the Raports.
IN Northumberland, the drills ploughed between, and as the ſtems advance in height, they are earthed up by a double-mould-board plough. ſa/
ſe) Dumfries, App. 17., Vol. 21. p. 5, 6. ſg/ Ms. Papers of the Board- ſa) Northumb. p. 40. F 2


