8.57 | 74.41
Starch | 12.21 | 12.58 | 11.79 | 12.77 | 10.85 | 12.55
Sugar, &c. | 2.75 | 2.93 | 3.09 | 2.17 | 2.78 | 2.89
Flesh-formers | | | | | |
soluble | 2.16 | 2.10 | 1.90 | 1.88 | 1.48 | 1.98
insoluble | 0.21 | 0.15 | 0.16 | 0.24 | 0.21 | 0.20
Fibre | 5.53 | 5.21 | 5.41 | 5.55 | 5.93 | 6.71
Ash | 0.88 | 0.81 | 0.94 | 1.04 | 0.98 | 0.98
+--------+----------+-------------+-------+-------+-------
| 100.06 | 99.69 | 99.89 | 99.58 |100.80 | 99.72
--------------+--------+----------+-------------+-------+-------+-------

The potato is relatively deficient in flesh-forming matters, and contains
the respiratory elements in exceedingly high proportions; hence it is
well adapted for fattening purposes, and in this respect is equal to
double its weight of the best kind of turnips. When used as food for
man, it should be supplemented by some more fatty or nitrogenous
substance--such, for example, as flesh, oatmeal, or peas. Buttermilk,
a fluid which is rich in nitrogen, is an excellent supplement to
potatoes, and compensates to a great extent for the deficiency of those
tubers in muscle-forming matters. If, then, the potato is destined to
retain its place as the "national esculent" of the Irish, I trust their
national beverage may be--so far at least as the masses of the people
are concerned--buttermilk, and _not_ whiskey.

Potatoes so far diseased as to be unsuited for use as food for man, may
be given with advantage to stock. They may be used either in a raw or
uncooked state, but the latter is the preferable form. Sheep do not like
them at first, but on being deprived of turnips they acquire a taste
for them; on a daily allowance, composed of 1 lb. of oil-cake or corn,
and an unlimited quantity of potatoes, they fatten rapidly. Cattle
thrive well on a diet composed of equal parts of turnips and diseased
potatoes, and do not require oil-cake. The evening feed of horses may
advantageously be composed of potatoes and turnips. If raw, the potatoes
should be given in a very limited quantity--four or five pounds; in the
cooked state, however, they may be given in abundance, but the animals
should not, after their meal, be permitted to drink water for some
hours. As a feeding substance, diseased potatoes, unles