208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the Cumberland superphosphate manufactured in Maine, 

 used in connection with other manure, adds very much to 

 his success in raising potatoes. 



The farmers of Danvers and Peabody have been very suc- 

 cessful in raising the best quality of potatoes for several 

 successive years on the same land by using only Peruvian 

 guano for manure. This is in conflict with the generally 

 accepted idea that it is necessary to change potatoes from 

 the same to newly broken land in order to obtain the best 

 results. On the other liand, very many experiments might 

 be quoted to show that very coarse manure mixed with bed- 

 ding has appeared to be the best for potatoes. Mr. Aaron 

 Low of Essex has been successful by leaving a vacant hill 

 once in eight feet in every third row in his early potato- 

 field, and planting in this hill, about the 25th of June, Essex 

 hybrid squash-seed. As the potato-tops die down, the squash- 

 vines cover the ground. In this way he has raised a good 

 crop of potatoes and over ten tons of squashes per acre ou 

 the same land. This method can only be successful by the 

 liberal application of manure. 



It is unnecessary to cite any more cases to show that 

 there is but little certain knowledge concerning the best 

 methods for cultivating potatoes, notwithstanding the fact 

 that nearly every person, be he farmer or not, would feel 

 insulted if his ability to raise potatoes in the best manner 

 were doubted. This uncertainty of results is equally true 

 of most of the other farm-crops. 



This conflict of opinions concerning this common product 

 of the farm proves the necessity for the establishment of a 

 thoroughly equipped experiment station, at which careful 

 scientific observation and investigation can be made in a 

 manner that is impossible for the farmer under ordinary 

 conditions. 



In this connection it may be well to state some points in 

 potato-culture that are generally accepted by experienced 

 cultivators as good metliods for practice, that can be safely 

 followed. Fall ploughing eight inches deep is especially 

 recommended for heavy land with hardpan or clayey subsoil. 

 In the spring the land should be harrowed, and then 

 ploughed six inches deep, as early as it is sufficiently dry to 

 be friable. Then, if the manure is not too coarse, it should 



