732 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



CULTURE OF VEGETABLES AS FARM 

 PRODUCTS. 



BY JOHN W. PROCTOR. 



Grass, grain and vegetables, are the principal products of the 

 farms of Massachusetts. Subdivided as they are, into parcels, 

 generally not exceeding one hundred acres of cultivable 

 lands, our attention will be directed to the inquiry, how can 

 these lands be cultivated to best advantage ? How shall the 

 farmer keep his lands, that they may keep him? Or what 

 mode of culture will insure the best income, leaving the 

 grounds in a condition not impaired by the crop? 



My purpose is, to bring together such facts in relation to the 

 culture of vegetables, as have come within my own observa- 

 tion ; — chiefly in the county of Essex ; and not to attempt a 

 complete discussion of the subject. 



Carrots, beets and turnips, are grown mainly for the feed of 

 stock ; — cabbages, onions and potatoes for the supply of the 

 market. Carrots have been cultivated of late, with much favor 

 and success. The short or horned carrot, and the deep rooted 

 yellow carrot, are the varieties mostly raised ; — depending 

 somewhat on the depth and condition of the soil. Where the 

 soil has been stirred to the depth of eighteen inches or more, it 

 is not uncommon for these plants to descend to this depth. 

 The average yield of carrots, on land well prepared and liber- 

 ally manured, may be estimated at 15 tons, or 600 bushels, to 

 the acre. We have known 20, 24, 32 and even 36 tons to the 

 acre. More than this we have not seen. Though, the present 

 season, we have seen a statement of an estimated crop of 1,800 

 bushels to the acre, in Berkshire. On inquiry as to the mode 

 of measurement adopted, it was not deemed satisfactory. It 

 savored too much of Yankee guesses. 



As food for horses, milch cows, &c., carrots are valued at 

 about half the price of English hay; — worth most, when 'used 

 in connection with other feed. We are not unmindful that 

 various opinions are entertained of the value of carrots ; our 

 purpose is to express such opinion as we have been able to 

 form, after much inquiry, of those most experienced in their use, 



