I 157

it to thoſe who are converſant in ſuch matters, to account for this differ- ence; it is ſufficient for us to ſtate the fact; which upon trial will be

found juſt.

Direclions with regard io Seed, Preſervation through the WMinier,&c.

Perhaps the ſame ſeed ought never to be planted twice upon the ſame land; at leaſt from obſervations that have been made, it is found that the oftener ſeed is changed, the crop is more productive, and leis liable to curl.

With regard to the mode of preſerving them through the winter, it de- pends upon two circumſtances; firſt that of laying up the potatoes dry; and ſecondly, that of preſerving them from the winter froſts. Where they have been laid up perfectly dry, there is no very great danger of their being hurt by ordinary winter troſts; but to provide againſt the worſt, they fhould always be completely covered, either with dry ſand to the thickneſs of fix inches at leaſt, or with ſtraw, fog, or the leaves of trees; any of which, if they are perfectly dry, and the potatoes covered with them early in the ſeaſon, will be ſuffcient for excluding the froſt.

No. VII. To the Preſident of ibe Board.

SIR,

THERE is no vegetable of greater uſe and advantage, particularly in. this part of the country, than the potatoe. It is not only of great profit to the induſtrious farmer, but likewiſe compoies the principal food upon which the lower claſſes of life ſubſiſt. Any improvement that can be dif- covered in the cultivation of it, ought therefore to be regarded, and pub- licly made known. From theſe motives, I am induced to lay before you ſome experiments which I have made upon the planting of the ſprits or fhoots of potatoes, and for preventing the potatoe from becoming curled.

Much of late having been ſaid upon the advantage accruing from the planting otf the fhoots of the potatoe, I was determined laſt ſpring to give it a fair trial. I took from fome of my earlieſt potatoes all the fhoots which they had made; carefully ſelecting thoſe which were remarkably