176 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



succession on the same ground; but I would* not hesitate to 

 plant carrots twice on the same ground in successive years, if it 

 seemed more convenient. The harvesting of carrots with the 

 subsoil plough leaves the land in a very light, fine condition, and 

 is the very best possible preparation that can be made for an 

 onion crop the next year. In fact, I think it is almost useless 

 to attempt to get an onion crop until I have first raised a carrot 

 crop on the same land. That is our usual custom. 



Mr. Clark, of Waltham. Don't you raise onions upon the 

 same land several years in succession ? 



Mr. Ware. Yes, sir ; any length of time. Onions grown 

 upon the same land continuously acquire a more delicate flavor 

 and finer grain, and will ripen earlier and handsomer. Perhaps 

 the crop may not be so bulky, although there won't be much 

 difference, but the quality will be very much better. We expect 

 the first crop of onions to be of coarse fibre, unless they follow 

 carrots. 



Mr. Stockbridge. I wish to ask a question in relation to 

 fertilizers. Your experience in the application of phosphates 

 has been anything but satisfactory. The question I would like 

 to ask is this : whether any applications of these fertilizers, 

 phosphates, especially, have been made to land, to save manure, 

 where you have put six or eight cords to the acre, and the land 

 in a poor condition ? 



Mr. Ware. I never have risked a crop with phosphates 

 alone. I have had high hopes of aid from them. My idea was 

 that they would be a valuable assistance in starting the crop, 

 but I have depended upon the quantity of manure for the final 

 growth. You asked me, I believe, if I had ever been satisfied 

 with the result of using any fertilizer. • I was, once. There was 

 a firm in New York, who manufactured " Mapes's Phosphate of 

 Lime " — I don't know but Professor Mapes manufactured it 

 himself at that time. I had about two quarts sent me in a 

 paper bag, as a present, to try. I tried it, and found the result 

 admirable. I bought about a hundred weight or so, and didn't 

 find the results so favorable. Tho most satisfactory result I 

 ever got from them was from that little paper bag. 



Mr. Johnson, of Framingham. I would like to inquire how 

 many bushels of carrots you obtain from an acre, as an average 

 crop ? 



