ROOT CROPS. 175 



On the ground on which the plaster was applied the previous 

 year, the potatoes were much the best. 



I spread 2\ cords of compost manure from barn cellar after 

 ploughing, harrowed once, furrowed lightly, four feet apart, 

 cut and dropped six bushels of small sized potatoes, from one 

 and one-half to two feet apart, covered with horse and plough 

 by turning two furrows together. 



My potatoes were large and smooth, and of the 136f$ bushels 

 harvested, not over six per cent, were unfit for market. 



I planted May 10th, and harvested during the month of 

 September. 



The cost of crop was as follows : — 



Ploughing*2| hours, 2 men and 2 horses, . 



Carting and spreading 2-| cords manure, 



Furrowing, dropping, and covering, .... 



Cultivating twice, ploughing once, hoeing twice, . 

 Harvesting, ........ 



Six bushels small sized potatoes at 40 cents per bushel, 

 2} cords compost manure at $3 per cord, . 



Total cost of crop, ...... $27 80 



The 136££ bushels of potatoes were sold in the Lawrence 

 market at an average of 52^ cents per bushel. 



North Andover, October 27, 1859. 



Statement of Willard Howe. 



Parsnips. — The half acre of land on which the parsnips were 

 grown is a light, sandy loam, and has been previously used, 

 (eighteen or twenty jears,) for onions, except last year, 

 (1858.) It was sown one-half to carrots, the other half to 

 onions. 



The onions failed ; it was then set with cabbage. The yield 

 of parsnips on the half where cabbages grew was 17 bushels, 

 the land and manure being equal. 



The manure used was composed of equal parts of stable 

 manure, night-soil and spent tan ; well mixed and fermented 

 manure spread and ploughed in, and fitted as for carrots or 

 onions. 



