140 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



For iJie yetc Emjiand Farmer. 

 CULTIVATION OF THE POTATO. 



Mr. Cole: I have been fully compensated for my 

 communication on the potato in a previous number 

 of your paper, by perusinfr the article which it called 

 forth, from your valuable corrcsjiondcnt, F. IIol- 

 brook, of Brattlcborough, Yt. With his views as 

 there expi'cssed, from my experience, I have no dis- 

 position to difler. That rather light, oiieu, warm 

 soils, inclined to sand or f^ravel, are the most favor- 

 able for the growth of some potatoes, I think no one 

 can disj)\itc. My remarks were made in regard to 

 adapting the soil to the growth of the potato, with- 

 out any rcfcronce to the rot. 



You :)sk my opinion as to the effects of deep and 

 shallow planting, derived from my experience, in 

 regard lo the rot. I have never discovered any dif- 

 ference as to the rot. The yield has generally been 

 best, by furrowing the land, say four or five inches 

 deep at planting, and then cultivating nearly level, 

 or making no more hill than would naturally be pro- 

 duced by passing the cultivator between the rows. 



As it respects the size of the seed, there is one 

 error which is very common among farmers, and that 

 is, the idea that if they plant below the medium sized, 

 the number must be increased ; if not very small, two 

 ■will answer, but if very small, three or four must be 

 put in the hill. A little examination and reflection 

 will correct this. Small potatoes contain as many 

 eyes as large ones ; thej^ are only of a smaller size, 

 and come up with less vigor, and instead of having 

 two, three, or four times as many sprouts crowded 

 together in a hill, the small, feeble sprouts require 

 more nursing, and a soil well fitted to their growth. 

 I am satisfied that one medium-sized, or small potato 

 is all that should be put in the hiJl provided the 

 hills are of a suitable distance to insure the best 

 crop. 



Early planting and early digging have been my 

 best safeguards against the rot, whether on dry or 

 moist soils. Three years ago this spring, I planted a 

 piece of ground with potatoes, well dressed with 

 manure from the bam cellar, mixed with an equal 

 quantity of mud, spread and ploughed in, and a mix- 

 ture of ashes and plaster put in the hills. The land 

 was sowed with buckwheat the year before, and was 

 in fine condition. The main part was planted with 

 the Carter variety ; the crop was abundant, and of 

 large size. A part of them were dug the last day of 

 August, and put into the cellar dry, while the vines 

 were green and thrifty, and Avere' of the very best 

 quality ; the remainder were left until the last of 

 September, and more than three quarters of them 

 were affected with the rot. Several other instances 

 have come within my knowledge, with similar re- 

 sults. Yours respectfuUv, 



S. M. STANLEY. 



West Attleborough, April 3, 1850. 



For the Neio England Farmer. 

 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



Mr. (Jole : The subject of agricultural education 

 has frequently invited my attention, since the first 

 agricultural meetings of the present session of the 

 Massachusetts legislature, when the establishment of 

 an "Agricultural School" was considered, soliciting 

 the aid of the state government. I was led to reflect 

 upon the necessity of the enterprise as an auxiliary 

 to the ordinary means of agricultural education ; but 

 I could not see its importance in so clear a Ught as 

 some others were supposed to sec it. Many 'prob- 

 ably think with me, who would not openly oppose 



I 9Tich a school, because they feel that it can do no 

 hurt. I should have been gratified to send you a 

 communication at that time, stating the humble 

 views of one, of its inutility, or, at least, superfluity ; 

 but feeling that I was in a veiy small minority, an:i 

 not making a vocation of farming or horticulture, 1 

 forbore. As I have since noticed the expressions of 

 doubt as to the propriety of establishing such a 

 school, with your indulgence I venture to offer a few- 

 thoughts on the subject. 



That agi-icultural education, or information, is not 

 what it is desirable it should be, no one ])robably 

 will deny ; but may not the same be said of all other 

 education, whether of trades or professions ? Are 

 not the sources of agricultural education more nu- 

 merous and open to every one than any other me-ans 

 of education r Can an intelligent man possibly 

 reside in the countrj' without having more accurate 

 ideas of farming than of any thing else, of whii-h he 

 does not take particular pains to investigate ?• Farm- 

 ers sons arc bom and brought up in an agriciiltural 

 school ; and hence, if they intend to become farmers, 

 they are as well prepared for it as a medical student 

 is prepared to practise medicine, after passing through 

 a course of study, and receiving his diploma. If a 

 young man were bom and brought up in a medical 

 or law school, and had there studied and practised 

 either medicine or law as a vocation from his youth 

 upward, we might safely conclude that his element- 

 ary education would be suflicient for the commence- 

 ment of regular practice. It would be the very best 

 of schooling. But as a knowledge of the professions 

 is not easily obtained in this way, by early theory 

 and practice, schools and academies are necessary. 

 All farms are schools of farming ; and are good 

 schools just in proportion as they are extensive or 

 well worked. We can hardly conceive why there 

 should be specific schools for farmers, any more than 

 there should be for carpenters, hatters, shoemakers, 

 &c. If a man wishes his son to learn a trade, he puts 

 him to some good establishment, where the trade is 

 well carried on ; and this is the best schooling he can 

 have. If a man wishes his son to become a fanner, 

 who is not one himself, (which is rare,) he puts hin» 

 upon some good fann, where at least bo can sujjpnrt 

 himself; and this is as good schooling as the father 

 would desire, or perhaps accept of, rfiould there be 

 less or no compensation off'ered from other sources. 



Now, suppose an agricultural school were founded, 

 largely endowed by the state, with all the necessary 

 appurtenances for practising agriculture upon its 

 most scientific and extended scale, — I am led to 

 inquire, From what sources would it be supplied 

 with students ? Here is a farmer with half a dozen 

 sons : one chooses to learn a trade, another to study a 

 profession, another to become a merchant, and so on ; 

 one concludes to continue at farming, and keep his 

 father's estate. But would he leave home, and sub- 

 ject himself to expense by attending an agricultural 

 school, for the sake of learning a vocation which he 

 has always studied and practised ? Would he not 

 say, " I can learn as much here, with the aid of a 

 few books and agricultural papers, as I can any where 

 else ? Why should I leave home for study and the 

 experience of others, when they can be had here for 

 a trifle?" I think farmers and farmers' sons, with 

 very few exceptions, would reason in this way ; and 

 this would be fatal to the general utility and self- 

 preservation of an agricultural school. A man who 

 owns no land, yet has sons to obtain a livelihood, 

 would not think of teaching one of them agriculture, 

 as he has no farm to cultivate. He would not put 

 one or more of them to such a school with a view of 

 their becoming overseers of farms, for few such per- 

 sons are needed in this country, where land is go 

 divided, and where there are so many owners and 

 practical workers ; besides, the compensation being 



