CORRESPONDENCE. 273 



weight of the six potato-fields, of four hills each, in 

 proportions or parts as follows : 



Parts. 

 Lot Isl, four hills, one large potato, cut in two pieces, in each 



hill, produced 13 



Lot 2d, four hills, one large whole potato in each hill, .... 15 

 Lot 3d, four hills, the eyes of one large potato in each hill, . . 3 ' 

 Lot 4th, four hills, four small potatoes (which together would 



weigh about half as much as one of the large potatoes) in 



each hill, ' 10 



Lot 5th, four hills,-lwo potatoes, about as heavy as one of the 



large ones, and cut in two pieces each, in each hill, ... 11 

 Lot 6th, four hills, one large potato, cut into eight pieces, in each 



hill, 9 



The potatoes above called large were all about the 

 same size. From this experiment I have satisfied my- 

 self, at least, on these points : one is, if we wish to 

 study economy, it would be better to eat less, and 

 plant less, and let the potatoes have their eyes ; the 

 next is, we cannot plant too laro;e seed ; and the third 

 is, we cannot cut potatoes too little. I have tried this 

 experiment for my own benefit, but, sir, if you think 

 it would be any benefit to the public, you are at liberty 

 to publish it. 1 intend to try the same experiment 

 again next year, and plant early. 



Yours affectionately, Marshall S. Rice. 



Newton Centre, Oct. 29ih, 1839. 



We are much gratified with the receipt of the 

 above from M. S. Rice, Esq. If gentlemen would try 

 more experiments on a small scale, in all branches of 

 husbandry, they would confer lasting benefits on the 

 community. We want authenticated facts ; we should 

 not be satisfied with guessing what modes are best. 



For ourselves, we have always succeeded better 

 when we planted without cutting our potatoes than 

 when we cut them. We have known good crops 

 raised, in some seasons, when the eyes only were 

 planted ; in other seasons not half a crop would be 

 realized. We know not yet the reason of this differ- 

 ence. Will some one tell us ? — Ed. 

 24 



