30 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



crop. Experience proTcs that barn-iuanurc, ■when applied in moderate quanti- 

 ties in the hill, produces better results than when spread. I would recommend 

 early plantinj^ ; also to plant pretty closely, say about three feet between the 

 rows, with the hills from one and a half to two feet apart. In regard to hill- 

 ing up, there are various opinions ; the most successful potato growers within 

 my knowledge practice it. 



The writer would not assume to teach the intelligent farmers of Maine the 

 best mode of culture, but hopes by calling the attention of members of the 

 Board to the subject, they may bring out such facts and suggestions as shall 

 be of practical value to the community. 



The report gave rise to considerable discussion on various points, 

 and resulted in the adoption of the following, as being the only 

 true method of settling a point of importance — namely, by experi- 

 ment. It being the fault of most experiments that too much is 

 attempted, and consequently nothing learned with certainty, it was 

 decided that one point ascertained is better than several guessed 

 at, and accordingly, one point only is aimed at, viz : The proper 

 distance in planting. 



Whereas, a great diversity of opinion prevails in regard to the culture of 

 the potato — the proper distance at which they should be planted, the quantity 

 of seed to be used foi best results, &c., and 



Whereas, it is desirable that conflicting opinions should be harmonized and 

 errors in practice corrected, concerning a crop of such magnitude and impor- 

 tance, through the results of numerous and well conducted experiments, 

 therefore 



Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to conduct an experiment the present 

 year, as follows : Select a piece of land of uniform quality, as near as may be ; 

 manure the whole equally ; (each experimenter to determine the kind and the 

 manner of its application for himself;) divide the piece in four equal lots ; lay 

 out the whole in rows three feet apart. 



Plant lot No. 1 in hills three feet distant. 

 " 2 " two 



" 3 " one and a half 



" 4 " one 



The amount of seed to the hill to be the same throughout. The result to 

 be reported at the next meeting of the Board, or to the Secretary. 



Resolved, That we invite all iarmers in the State to join us in tlie above 

 named experiment, and request them to forward their results, in detail, to the 

 Secretary, or to some member of this Board, in November next. 



Mr. Fish presented the following on 



Turnip Culture. 



If we admit, as all are ready to do, that Maine is best adapted for the grow- 

 ing of stock, the first thing is to ascertain how to derive the most profit from 

 it, and all are equally ready to admit that stock pays best when well kept. 

 Then what shall we grow in order to keep them well. The universal answer 

 is, graps in summer. But we have long, cold winters, and it is necessary to 

 provide winter food also to keep them in good condition. What shall this be? 

 Common practice shows tlie use of straw with a little hay ; but this does not 

 keep thciii in f/ood condition — they arc small and poor. Ask a former why 

 his stock is so poor in spring, and he will tell you he has to feed on straw. 

 Now if it be necessary to feed out so much straw it is needful to have some- 

 thing to sweeten it with, and Avhat shall we grow for this purpose? My 



