The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 43 



Whether potatoes, in addition to the corn, will bear too hard 

 upon the soil, is a question that has received an affirmative 

 and negative answer, and both, it is said, from the experi 

 ence of husbandry. I mean, therefore, to learn that which 

 seems most profitable, and I am already making the experi 

 ment. These harrows, then, are to work the intervals be 

 tween the corn and potatoes ; which being four feet only, the 

 dimensions of them must be proportioned to the space they 

 are to operate in. But, notwithstanding the levelness of 

 my land, and the straightness and equidistance of my rows, 

 it would seem, nevertheless, dangerous to depend upon a 

 single bout of this implement, because, if perchance the 

 width between the rows should exceed four feet, the ground 

 will not be broken, and, if it falls short, the plants will be 

 cut up. Twice, therefore, in each row, seems necessary for 

 safe and proper tillage. I mention it for your consideration 

 only ; my own opinion of the matter, I must confess, is (but it 

 yields to experience), that two feet from centre to centre of 

 the hindmost tines would be a proper medium. This, with 

 the outer tines of the trowel, will stir near or quite two feet 

 and a half of earth ; and under certain circumstances may be 

 sufficient, without going twice in the same row, for cultiva 

 tion of the plants ; at all events, two bouts will give part 

 of it a double stirring. 



I am, &c. 



