86 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 240 



Most Concord farmers sprayed or dusted from two to four times in 1926. 

 The time varied with the method used and the number of applications. A 

 hand duster was used on four farms. The time also depended on the con- 

 venience of mixing the spray material, the distance to the field, and the 

 capacity of the sprayer. The sprayer on one farm was a 200 gallon orchard 

 sprayer with a motor. The motor was troublesome and the hours used were 

 increased. 



Harvesting. 



Harvesting included the same operations as reported in the other two areas, 

 but in addition, much more time was devoted to sorting and grading. The 

 growers in Concord are well paid for the labor spent in sorting, for in most 

 cases they have special market outlets and secure a premium for well graded 

 potatoes. 



Figure 9. Distribution of Man Labor per Acre 



by Half-Months for 15 Acres of Green Mountains and 



8 Acres of Cobblers on Farm 41 in Concord, 1926. 



Hours 



30 



20 



10 







Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 



Tlhese potatoes Were planted in April and May; cultivated in June and July; sprayed 

 from June 10 to Sept. 1.; and harvested in August (Cobblers) and from September 

 15 to October 31 (Green Mountains). A tractor and specialized potato machines 

 were used. 



Seasonal Distribution. 



Figure 9 presents the seasonal distribution of man labor for potatoes on 

 farm 4L On this farm 15 acres of Green Mountains and 8 acres of Cobblers 

 were grown. The peak in early August was due to the digging of the Cobblers. 

 Apples are an important crop on this farm and the harvest labor on the two 

 crops interferes to some extent. This is a representative distribution on a 

 good farm in this area. 



