f 166

long, eight inches broad, and two fect in circumference; its weight four pounds and an half, averdupois. The clergyman who ſhowed it to me ſaid,

that the perſon from whom he got it, had another one, of the ſame kind, a pound heavier.

I have the honour to be, with the greateſt reſpect and eſteem,

SIR,

Vour moſt obedient and moſt faithful humble ſervant,

Kapi, A,. R. BEATSON.

No. XI. 2⁰ krübur Tdung, EF2. s IR,

VESTERDAVY, when in company with Sir occafionally to mention an obſervatiom reſpecting by ſome farmers. Sir John was immediate to communicate the obſervations to you; it is reſpecting the eye of the potatoe. It was obſerved, that in almoſt every potatoe there were two kinds of eyes, the one prolific, the other not. The former was always ſunk deep in the potatoe, and produced a ſtrong vigorous ſhoot that, in favour- able circumſtances, had a fair chance to havc a good crop. The latter did not fink ſo deep, and always had a little ſwelling or protuberance in the middle; from which protuberance a few weak Ihoots ſprung forth, that, even in favourable circumſtances, had but a ſcanty crop in compariſon of the other. I have not had an opportunity of putting the obſervatién to the trial, although I have ſome doubts about the truth of it, yet] think it merits attention. I have ineloſed a draught of a potatoe with both kinds

of eyes; aa, the unprolific; bb, the prolitic kind. In agriculture every remark, whether true or falſe, fhould be attended

John Sinclair, I happened potatoes, which was made lyto leave town, but deſired me

1 that is made by farmers to: fair experiments fhould be made, and the truth

4