WORCESTER SOCIETY. 119 



moderately manured ; hilled them none at all, and on the 22d 

 of September dug 5 pecks from one, and 3 pecks from the other. 

 I was not very exact in the matter, as I told the gentleman who 

 worked for me in planting, that I should get a bushel from the 

 one, and a half-bushel from the other. The rows and ground 

 we staked, as they were planted row by row with others of the 

 same sort. The yield, however, exceeded our expectations. 

 This yield differed very little, if any, from the other rows of the 

 same seed planted by their side, of which I took no exact ac- 

 count in planting. This potato I value for table use, and also 

 as a great bearer. 



My usual method of planting potatoes of any kind, is to cut 

 and put three eyes in a hill. I am convinced by repeated trials 

 that farmers use too much seed. Three eyes, spread 5 or 6 

 inches apart, are decidedly better than three potatoes. Those 

 farmers who have laughed at my method of planting in the 

 Spring, and who have seeded high, have always been compelled 

 to laugh at their own folly in the Fall. 



Besides, I have always succeeded best in planting potatoes not 

 more than 1| or 2 inches below the surface, and in not hilling 

 them at all. Potatoes need the sun as much as any other root. 

 This course I pursued in raising the potatoes I carried to the 

 County Fair at Worcester. Any further inquiries will be cheer- 

 fully answered. I have made no calculation as to the quantity 

 from the acre. I have a quantity of very large ones I have re- 

 served for seed, and should be happy to favor you with some, if 

 the gratuity would be acceptable. 



Your most obedient servant, 



W. C. RICHARDS. 



Neic-England Village, Oct. 1st, 1847. 



P. S. It is not unfrequent that some 7 or 8 potatoes are seen 

 crowded out of the ground, and even some very fair ones grow 

 upon the vines. I have one rare, curious specimen of this kind 

 of growth upon the main stalk." 



Knowing that some kinds of potatoes, the "Carter," for in- 

 stance, were more affected by the rot than other kinds, the 



