148 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Since so much of pleasure and profit are connected with this 

 branch of horticulture and agriculture, he is certainly a bene- 

 factor of his race who furnishes us with improved varieties of 

 vegetables, or tells us how the quantity of their products may 

 be increased. Much has been accomplished in this direction. 

 The tomato has become almost indispensable. The marrow, 

 Hubbard, custard and turban squashes have almost superseded 

 the old-fashioned crookneck for table use. A variety, new to 

 your Committee, the " Yokohama," was offered this year by Mr. 

 George F. Gilson, of Dunstable, which, as far as solidity and 

 weight are concerned, promises to be a valuable accession to our 

 winter varieties. But as " the proof of the pudding is in the 

 eating," your Committee have had no "proof" of the excel- 

 lence of this squash. 



With the reappearance of the " potato rot " among us, the 

 attention of farmers will be more directed to such varieties as 

 are least subject to this pest. Many new varieties have been 

 recently introduced, some of which have been regarded as val- 

 uable accessions to our table supplies. If these shall withstand 

 the rot, they will take the place of some of the older varieties. 

 Mr. Lorenzo Phelps gave a statement of his manner of seeding 

 and the results of the different methods. Others have obtained 

 as good results, but have not told us their methods of procedure. 

 Mr. Phelps' statement is as follows : — 



Weight of seeds, ...... 



Number of tubers, ..... 



One potato, cut in four parts, planted May 25, pro 



duced 



One, cut in eight pieces, produced 



Three, cut in single eyes, produced . . . 



Total product of two pounds, five tubers. 



2 pounds. 

 5 



20 pounds. 

 41 " 

 120 " 



181 



a 



N. B. Edwards, Chairman. 



MARSHFIELD. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



TURNIPS. 



Your Committee, after measuring the field, selected one 

 square rod, which we thought would be a fair specimen of the 



