332 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



By such a preparation the influences of moisture and air have 

 freedom to work, and they are no sluggards in supplying the 

 wants of vegetation. 



A deep sandy loam is undoubtedly the most favorable soil for 

 most kinds of vegetables, and yet by proper culture, a liberal 

 crop may be obtained upon those less congenial. The adapta- 

 tion of the different kinds of manure to the different varieties 

 of vegetables^ is a matter worthy of careful investigation and 

 experiment. Liquids, however, for top-dressing, are far prefer- 

 able to all others. 



Selection of Seeds. — Li the cultivation of vegetables, great 

 care should be taken in the selection of seed, not merely in 

 obtaining the best varieties, but so far as possible that which 

 . hacf a healthy growth and came to an early maturity the previ- 

 ous year. Those who rely wholly upon our seed growers for 

 their supply will not always get the quality or variety sought 

 for ; but if proper care be taken, each man may raise mostly 

 his own, and thereby not only save an item of expense, but 

 determine the age and quality of his seed for himself. 



Potatoes. — Doubtless it will be conceded by all that no 

 vegetable has so large a claim upon our attention as the potato, 

 inasmach as none occupy so common a place upon our tables, 

 or is so well adapted to meet the wants of those in poverty and 

 distress. Hence, whatever knowledge human science or practi- 

 cal experience can furnish, either to improve their culture or 

 preserve them from disease, should be cheerfully presented and 

 widely diffused. So general was the disease the past year, 

 coupled with the severity of the winter, that the price of good 

 potatoes reached a point in our maket before unknown. 

 Although the disease has made fearful ravages in many sections 

 the present year, yet the indications are that the crop will be 

 much larger and of better quality than that of the previous 

 year. Had our farmers the certainty of a large and healthy 

 yield, no crop would be so profitable at any thing like present 

 prices. But as no infallible remedy has yet been discovered to 

 protect this valuable vegetable from tlie fatal disease to which 

 it is now subject, we have only to go forward in the use of such 

 means as science and practical experience may suggest, imtil 

 the turning of a new leaf in the great book of Providence shall 



