148 MASSACIIUSETT.S AGRICULTURE. 



.Slips, wlien from four to six inclies liigli, are ready for trans- 

 planting. The larger ones can easily bo drawn from the h»ed 

 without disturbing those not yet grown, by gently pressing the 

 ground with one hand, and drawing the slip with the other. 



Tlie most suitable time for transplanting is between the 20th 

 of May and the 1st of June. Three slips are placed in each 

 hill, or if planted in drills place them about a foot apart. The 

 vines will begin to run early in July, at which time the hills 

 should be cleared of weeds and put in good order. After this 

 they will need no further culture.* 



Sweet potatoes should be dug soon after the first severe frost, 

 and if intended for keeping, should be packed in thoroughly 

 dried sand, and placed in a warm and dry situation. In this 

 way they may be kept till the latter part of winter. 

 Very respectfully yours, 



L. JOHNSOX. 



Of Indian corn, the average crop through the county lias been 

 a little less than usual. Wet weather and early frost damaged 

 the corn in some places. Some seed rotted in the ground, and 

 the fields were planted a second time. Still there have been 

 yields from fifty to more than a hundred bushels to the acre ; 

 and the general opinion is undoubtedly correct, that no other 

 crop is so well adapted to our climate and soil. Every farmer 

 believes himself competent to grow corn to the best advantage. 

 Suggestions from us may, therefore, seem superfluous. Nor do 

 we claim superior wisdom or practical skill. But familiar with 



* Tlie Committee has been favored with the following note from Mr. E. C. 

 Larrabee, of Salem : — 



" In a sandy soil I set, the present year, between four and fire hundre<^l slips 

 on a piece of ground ten feet by one hundred and twentj-, from which I 

 obtained a little more than two barrels. I used horse manure and ashes. La.st 

 year my potatoes were considered, by com j)etent judges, to be equally as goo^l 

 as those from the South. This season they were not quite so goo'l as usual, in 

 consequence of the cool and wet weather." 



The success of Mr. Caleb Bates, of Plj-mouth county, is well known. In a 

 recent circular he says : •• In flavor, the pxjtatoes raised in Plymouth county 

 are sweeter, on an average, than those brought from the South, as hundrerJa 

 will testify. In yielding, they far snrf>as3 the common potato, pro^Jucing from 

 three to five hundred bushels to the acre, with good treatment." Mr. Batei>' 

 address is Kingston, Mass. 



