342 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



dress and assist the full development of everything that conduces 

 to the comfort of his family. Before the grass starts the meadows 

 should be examined, to remove all obstructions to the mowing 

 machine; he should look well to his fences — particularly those 

 that divide his farm from his neighbors; the latter observance 

 promotes good feelings in a neighborhood, and should not be neg- 

 lected. 



Field CroI^s. 



The first field crops to prepare for are the oats and potatoes; 

 and as these are important crops to many farmers, I will give my 

 experience in producing the best results. Oats are adapted to a 

 cool climate; they may be successfully grown where the ther- 

 mometer seldom gets above 75 degrees. It is known to all prac- 

 tical farmers that a cool summer is sure to favor a good yield of 

 oats; and in order to get the best results, the seed must be 

 planted as soon as the ground can be well pulverized in the 

 spring. In this latitude the first of April is the best time. If the 

 ground is strong, from three to four' bushels should be sown to 

 the acre; and if the land has been well prepared, it is not unusual 

 to <ret from 50 to 100 bushels to the acre. 



Potatoes. 



The country is indebted to the late Cbauncey Goodrich, of 

 Utica, for his efforts and great success in producing many greatly 

 improved varieties of seedling potatoes. A variety called the 

 Early Goodrich will cause his name to be remembered as a public 

 benefactor. 



For many years I have been experimenting with most of the 

 new seedlings as well as the old varieties. I have for several 

 years abandoned the cultivation of the Mercer, Prince Albert, 

 Peach Blow and Dykeman. I have found that many of the newly 

 introduced seedlings are more hardy, more productive, and some 

 of them better in quality. 



I wnll not at this time attempt to describe the quality of these 

 new seedlings, but will at a future meeling give a description of 

 the most meritorious for general cultivation. The following mode 

 of culturs!* I find to produce the best results : I thoroughly plow 

 the o-rouncl as soon as I can put it in nice condition, and strike out 

 the rows two and a half feet apart; the seed is cut to two eyes 

 and dropped from twelve to fifteen inches apart, the greatest dis- 

 tance allowed to the strongest growers, and cover with a plow. 



