170 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



offered for premium, containing seven-eighths of an acre. The 

 depth of soil or muck was from four to ten feet. The product 

 was two hundred and seventy-two and a half bushels, including 

 all sizes. The kind of potatoes were Riley Reds, and St. 

 Helenas. The meadow was cleared in the spring of 1858, 

 and planted with potatoes in the same year, July 3d, producing 

 a good crop, but injured by early frosts, for table use, not 

 getting quite ripe. In 1859, I planted with potatoes, and 

 obtained a good crop, planting earlier than the year before. 

 This year I planted the latter part of May. I used no manure 

 during these three years, and formed the hills at the time of 

 planting, hoeing only once. If I should plant the same again, 

 or any similar piece of meadow, should not hoe after planting, 

 as I should perform both planting and hoeing at the same time. 

 I think it better for the crop of potatoes, as there are no weeds, 

 and the less the soil is worn, the better. 



The potatoes were of good quality, free froui rot, although 

 the mildew or rust struck the vines, some three weeks before 

 any frost, probably causing a less crop than otherwise would 

 have been, had they not been affected by that fatal scourge. 

 The potatoes have been sold in Lawrence, by the barrel, at the 

 rate of sixty cents per bushel, and more are wanted at the same 

 price, but I cannot spare any more. 



For further particulars, I refer you to the committee on 

 reclaimed meadows, or if it is necessary to give more minute 

 statements, please write me. 



Methuen, November 3, 18 GO. 



Statement of Robert Bookhouse, Jr. 



Cabbages. — The crop of cabbages I present for premium, was 

 grown on three-fourths of an acre of land, that was broke up 

 last September ; the following spring it was manured with 

 between five and six cords of compost manure, a portion of 

 which was spread on and mixed with the soil with a cultivator 

 drawn by a pair of horses, and the remainder was applied in 

 the hill. 



The seed was sown in a hot-bed, and the plants transplanted 

 in the field about the 12th of May. 



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