SECRETARY'S REPORT. 29 



self should be allowed on the floor or crib ; under no consideration should the 

 fowls be allowed to pass from the manure-heap to the hay-mow. 



As roots contain a large per centage of water, they should be fed to stock near 

 the middle or warmest part of the day, commencing with small quantities at 

 tirst, and increasing gradually. 



In order that animals may be perfectly and profitably developed, and meet 

 the reasonable expectations of those at whose expense they are fed, they must 

 receive as food, all the materials required, and a sufficiency of all. The stock- 

 grower should ascertain what and how much is needful, and keep no more 

 stock than he can liberally supply ; then he will not be reproached by the 

 languid look and staring coat of the half-fed animal, for the mistaken econ- 

 omy practised upon them. 



Mr. Rogers presented the following paper on 



Potato Culture. 



Potato culture was assigned me by the Board, upon which to report, either 

 at this time, or to the Secretary during the interim. I have preferred to 

 report here, because if I fail to present anything of practical value to tlie agri- 

 cultural community, still should I succeed in provoking members to discuss 

 the subject, and thus draw out their ideas, it may be the means of contribut- 

 ing to the common good. 



A paragraph lately appeared in some of the papers, to the effect, that an 

 acre of wheat will furnish nourishment for two persons one year, and an acre 

 of potatoes for four persons for the same time — potatoes producing double the 

 amount of food per acre, that wheat does. If such be the fact the subject is 

 of much importance. That it is the case I think we shall be obliged to admit, 

 when we compare the average yield of wheat per aci-e, with the average of 

 potatoes. 



By the census of 1850, the average crop on all the land in wheat in the 

 United Slates was found to be but nine and one-eighth bushels per acre. It 

 is doubtful whether it has increased since. The average of potatoes 1 have not 

 ascertained, but it is probably ten or twelve times greater. 



Potatoes have become almost indispensable to every housekeeper. A good 

 dinner can hardly be provided without them ; the tenderest steak or fattest 

 turkey is not satisfactory without the accompaniment of a good mealy potato. 

 Potatoes tend to promote health, and are a nutritious article of food for both 

 man and beast. Although heavy of transportation, and more perishable than 

 the cereals, still perhaps it is safe to say, that more income is derived by the 

 farmers of Maine. from the sale of potatoes than from the sale of any other 

 single crop. 



By the census returns of 18G0, it appears that there was raised in this State 

 6,325,535 bushels. Entering so largely into our farm operations, it is very 

 important to ascertain how to raise the greatest amount at the least expense. 

 Also what varieties, all things considered, are most desirable for farmers to 

 cultivate. For market, the value depends as much, perhaps more, on the 

 quality of the tubers as on the quantity raised. 



We would not attempt to designate any particular variety to be cultivated 

 exclusively. The Jackson and the Orono are probably more generally sought 

 after, and command a higher price than almost any other varieties. We 

 think them also less liable to disease than most others. If quantity, with- 

 out regard to quality is sought for, the California, of all potatoes with 

 which we are acquainted, is most prolific. And when planted early, on ordi- 

 nary soil without manure and well ripened are a tolerable potato for table 

 use. 



Potatoes flourish better and produce more healthy tubers, on new land, or 

 on land that has been long pastured than on that which has been some time 

 under cultivation. Sea dressing, where it can be obtained, such as rock-weed 

 and eel-grass, applied in the hill proves to be a very efficacious manure for this 



