282 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



VEGETABLES. 



Sweet Potatoes. — The following communication in reference 

 to the cultivation of sweet potatoes has been received from 

 Caleb Bates, Esq., of Kingston. He says: — 



For seven years I have been experimenting on the culti- 

 vation of the sweet potato. I find it to be a profitable crop, 

 returning a greater yield than the common potato, and of 

 excellent quality. Warm, sandy soils, or sandy loam, are the 

 locations they delight in. They have never failed of making 

 a good yield, except this present season, which has had a great 

 amount of unseasonable cold and drought. 



The potatoes are raised from slips forced in hot beds. This 

 part of their culture requires great care, patience and expe- 

 rience in order to produce healthy plants. Finding that this 

 labor and expense in starting made it a losing business, the 

 plan was adopted of making the beds larger than was required 

 for my own use, and raising the slips for sale ; thus recovering 

 a part of the expense. With this arrangement it is a profitable 

 crop for me and for those who purchase the slips. As it is very 

 rare that any of the slips taken from my beds perish, and as they 

 can be readily transported, properly packed, a great distance, 

 a large number of people have availed themselves of the oppor- 

 tunity, at a trifling cost, to furnish their families with this 

 valuable root. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Last year twelve towns or cities of the county were repre- 

 sented in this department by sixty-eight contributors. The 

 present season, sixteen towns, by ninety-eight contributors. The 

 display of vegetables was uncommonly good ; that of the squash 

 and uf the potato was particularly fine. It was highly gratify- 

 ing to perceive this latter vegetable in so great a variety and in 

 so healthy a condition. For many years this crop has suffered so 

 much bv the rot that the success of its cultivation has been very 



