FARMS. 171 



satisfied that, as a green crop for fodder, it is inferior, in every 

 respect, to the sweet corn. Of its value for molasses or sugar, 

 I cannot speak from experience. If a sirup, lilie that present- 

 ed at the annual exhibition, by Mr. Kinsley, of Canton, and 

 Mr. Hyde, of Newton, can be easily and cheaply manufactured, 

 the sugar cane will become a very common and desirable 

 crop. 



Many of the details of my farm have already been published 

 in the " Transactions " of this society, and I will not repeat 

 them. My crops for the last year have been less abundant and 

 less valuable, generally, than usual. Hay and grain were much 

 injured by storms of rain, hail and blasting winds. 



I have raised, the last summer, a small crop of excellent 

 sweet potatoes, with very little care or trouble. The ground 

 was ploughed deeply and ridged, in rows about two and a half 

 feet apart. Slips were planted, about lOtli of June, in holes 

 made by hand, into which super-phosphate of lime was put and 

 thoroughly mixed with the soil. Nothing more was done on 

 account of the wetness of the season, except pulling up weeds 

 from the ground. The soil had been highly manured in previous 

 years, and was too rich now for this plant. The tubers in the 

 hills were of good size and flavor, but many more grew between 

 the ridges and ran down a great way into the soil. This crop 

 is worthy of our particular attention. It grows well in proper 

 soil, and is very profitable. A light, sandy soil, with proper 

 manure, may be easily made to yield sweet potatoes of as good 

 quality as the market generally affords. 



I have used, for two or three years past, one of Allen's 

 mowing machines, and have invariably found it to work 

 well when operated by a careful hand, with well-trained horses 

 or oxen, and saving a large part of the labor and time of hay- 

 making. 



I have always raised a large supply of garden vegetables, and 

 consider the practice one of great importance to the farmer. 

 Carrots, turnips and pumpkins, for cattle, have also made part 

 of my field crops. Turnips are sown among the corn, at second 

 hoeing, and sometimes between rows of potatoes. Pumpkins 

 are grown in the same way. Both are made a separate crop, 

 occasionally, and this I believe to be the best mode of growing 

 tliem. 



