Page:Treatise on Cultivation of the Potato.djvu/58



"Sowed seed in a drill between cruffles and flounders on the 18th March, 1875. Had potatoes of different kinds, of which about one cwt. of twenty was diseased."

"Sowed, part in seed-bed, part out, some tubers full size, grown in rich" garden soil, in which there was disease this year, locality well ventilated, manure common. Fully 90 per cent, of the plants resisted the disease absolutely."

2em

—I think it right to let you know how the potato seed you kindly sent me last year has turned out.

I sowed some in hot-beds and hardened them off, then transplanted them, in drills two feet apart, some I sowed in the open air, thinned them out to proper distances, and planted the thinnings; from all I had a tolerable fair crop, not one diseased; but the seed from the hot-beds were the largest; I suppose because they had an earlier and better season to grow.

I have twelve distinct sorts. 1 have long ones as black as jet, something like what was called 'Black Lords,' long ago. I have evidently Kidneys, and round ones of various colours. I shall plant them all whole this season again; and if you have any hint to throw out for my guidance, it shall be carried out by yours very truly,

JAMES M'CANN.

P. S.—You might send me a very small sample of seed. J. M'C''

It is now 28th of March, the printer wants copy, and the seed should be in the ground at once; I must therefore record my own experience rapidly and without revision.

I sowed seed in a hothouse 1st January, 1875; on a seed bed in the open, 24th March; in a conservatory without artificial heat on 4th April; again, some time in May, in the open air. The sowings of 1st January and 4th April were planted out about middle of May. The 4th April gave the better result, both as regards yield and resistance to disease. The sowing of 24th March, owing to cold winds (I suppose) did not give so good yield as the sowing of