118 WORCESTER SOCIETY. 



attributes his success to scattering a little lime over his potatoes 

 when planted. Another farmer, in this town, who states that 

 he has had but very little rot among his potatoes, believes that 

 it is best to plant potatoes in dry, gravelly soil, early in the 

 season, and manure with well-rotted manure. It seems to be the 

 more general opinion, among farmers, that early planting, on 

 light land, is the best security against the rot. 



At the last cattle-show and exhibition by this society, the 

 chairman noticed a basket of potatoes in the hall, which had 

 been presented for exhibition by Rev. W. C. Richards, of New- 

 England Village, Grafton, accompanied by the following state- 

 ment : — " Royal blue-heart seedli?igs, — the yield of one po- 

 tato, weighing 7 oz. ; and the produce was 5 pecks, weighing 

 73 lbs. The seed was cut, planted in drills, May 10th, in dry, 

 gravelly soil." The size of many of the potatoes was large. 

 The quality, as food for man or beast, was not stated ; but from 

 the evidence offered, it appeared to be a valuable variety of that 

 most valuable root, even if it should not be good for the table. 

 The chairman requested a friend to make inquiries for him in 

 relation to the character of that kind of potato, and its history. 

 In answer to these inquiries, Mr. Richards had the kindness to 

 send the following letter : — 



" Hon. Mr. Lincoln : — 



Dear Sir, — The potatoes referred to, and which I raised this 

 season, are, I think, what their name purports. The history 

 of this potato I am at present unable to give you. When at 

 Providence, April 26, 1845, I dined with a gentleman who 

 had on his table a rich, mealy potato, though somewhat dark- 

 colored. He had a few only for table use. He esteemed them 

 very highly. I begged five in number, perhaps of 5 oz. weight 

 apiece ; and, on my return, cut them in small pieces and planted 

 in drills, on heavy, wet land ; and in autumn dug five pecks of 

 very handsome large ones. This potato I have raised since 

 for my own use, together with the ' Carter.' 



Aware that this potato was a great bearer, I thought I would 

 make a trial of its yield. I took two, one of 7 oz. and another 

 of 5 oz. weight, cut and planted in drills on dry, gravelly soil, 



