ROOT CROPS. 131 



any season, without knowledge or careful preparation, as such 

 a course would be sure to result in disappointment. But with 

 suitable care, and the exercise of the same degree of knowledge 

 and skill necessary to insure success in other business, wheat- 

 raising will be found as satisfactory as any other branch of 

 farming. I find it more and more so, after twenty years' 

 experience." 



ROOT CROPS. 



ESSEX. 



Statements of H. L. and W. W. Phelps. 



Potatoes. — The acre of land entered by the undersigned for 

 premium, is situated on the south side of a hill. The soil is a 

 gravelly loam, with here and there a slight mixture of clay. 

 Grass has been the annual crop since 1856, and in 1867-8 it was 

 hardly worth cutting, as no manure had been applied for several 

 years. It was ploughed once, about six inches deep, late in the 

 fall of last year ; cost $5. Harrowed early last spring ; cost 

 $1. As soon as harrowed.^ eighteen loads of well rotted manure 

 were hauled upon the ground, and piled ; estimated value $35. 

 The potatoes were planted April 16-22. The land was fur- 

 rowed, making the furrows four feet apart and eight inches deep ; 

 the manure was spread evenly along the furrow, and the seed 

 which had been cut, leaving but one eye on a piece, was dropped 

 upon it about nine inches apart, and covered four inches deep. 

 Five bushels of seed were used, four of Early Goodrich and one 

 of Garnet Chili, costing $1 per bushel ; cost of planting $15. 

 May 27th and 28th it was cultivated with a horse hoe, and hoed, 

 the potatoes at that time being about six inches high. June 

 10th and 11th it was ploughed and hoed. This being the last 

 hoeing, they were hilled as much as possible ; cost of cultivation 

 112. July 21st, and August 25th, dug 21,600 pounds of pota- 

 toes, of which 320 bushels were merchantable. 



The above statements are correct, to the best of my knowledge. 



W. J. Dale, Jr. 



North Andover, November 9, 1869. 



