78 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Statement of David Stiles. 



The quantity of land covered by the crop was 84^ rods. The 

 crop of 1863 on one-half the land was grass ; on the other part 

 potatoes, on which a small shovelful of stable manure in each 

 hill was used. 



The crop of 1864 was the same, using about one-half a cord 

 of stable manure, applied in the same way. 



The soil is a light muck, from six to twelve feet deep. It 

 was ploughed in the early spring of 1865, and again, (just 

 before planting,) eight inches deep, and furrowed deep to 

 receive the manure. Cost of ploughing, etc., $8. 



About one cord of manure was applied in the hill. Value, 

 $12. 



Planted June 4th, in hills three by four feet apart, with 2J 

 bushels Scotch apple potatoes. Cost of seed and planting, $8. 



Cultivated by ploughing and hoeing in the usual way, using 

 rackets on the feet of the horse to prevent him from sinking in 

 the meadow. Cost of cultivation, $1. 



Harvested September 28th and 29th, by digging with a 

 manure fork those that failed to conie out with the vines. Cost, 

 $10. 



Product : 

 600 pounds small potatoes, . 

 108^- bushels large " ... 



Cost of manure, labor, etc., as above. 

 Interest on land, ..... 



Profit, ......... $QQ 16 



After experimenting about nine years with some seventeen 

 different varieties of potatoes, I have come to the conclusion 

 that the Scotch apple is better adapted to these muck lands 

 than any other, and will produce a greater yield in such local- 

 ities than any other variety, Californians not excepted ; and 

 as the soil seems suited to the first named variety, its good 

 flavor is actually increased. No other potato is chosen before 

 it for the table by those who know potatoes. This variety has 

 not been affected with the rot during all the time before named, 



