214 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



to the amount of one-quarter of its 'weight — a fact well known 

 to bakers. 



Repeated experiments show that good potatoes, cooked by 

 boiling, form a nutritive article of food; and that baked pota- 

 toes are less nourishing than boiled ones. I will mention two, 

 out of many experiments made in Glasgow prison: — First. 

 Breakfast, one-half pound oatmeal in porridge, with one-half 

 pint of buttermilk ; dinner, three pounds boiled potatoes, with 

 salt; supper, five ounces of oatmeal and one-half pint of butter- 

 milk. Ten prisoners were put upon this diet ; they were con- 

 fined for two months, employed in light work. At the beginning 

 of the experiment, eight were in good health, two in indifferent 

 health. At the end of the time, all were in good health, and 

 had gained, on an average, more than four pounds, only one 

 man having lost. The greatest gain was nine pounds four 

 ounces. The one who lost was reduced five pounds two 

 ounces. 



Another set received the same fare, excepting that the pota- 

 toes were baked. They were found far less nutritious than the 

 boiled. The prisoners lost, on an average, one and a half pounds. 

 The subsequent addition of a quarter of a pound of meat did 

 not add to their weight. 



In the secotid experiment, ten prisoners were fed thus: 

 breakfast, two pounds of potatoes boiled ; dinner, three pounds ; 

 supper, one pound per man. At the end of two months, the 

 health of all was good ; there was an average gain in weight 

 of nearly three and a half pounds ; the greatest gain, eight and 

 a quarter pounds ; only two lost a trifling quantity. The prison- 

 ers all expressed their satisfaction with this fare, and regretted 

 the change back to the ordinary diet. 



It should be remembered that these experiments were made 

 upon persons confined only to light labor. Probably potatoes 

 would not furnish sufficient strength for long continued hard 

 work in the open air. 



Almost all domestic animals are fond of potatoes, and, in 

 moderate proportions, they are wholesome, if not very nutri- 

 tive, to cattle and hogs. Almost every farmer has his peculiar 

 ideas upon this point, gained by his experience. Some of 

 great experience do not think them profitable, if the expense 



