128 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Statement of Spencer Leonard of Bridgewater. 



Potatoes. — The ground where my potatoes grew contained 

 eighty rods ; had been in grass several years without dressing. 

 It was ploughed September 1, 1875, and sowed to rye, putting 

 on eight hundred pounds of ground bone per acre. May 20, 

 ten loads of stable compost was spread on, and, with the rye, 

 ploughed in seven or eight inches deep, well harrowed and 

 bushed, and planted with Davis Seedlings. The potatoes came 

 up very quick and even, and grew remarkably well for awhile; 

 but the dry weather of July, August and September checked 

 the growth of the tubers very much, reducing the amount of 

 potatoes, I should judge, nearly one-half. The Colorado 

 beetle appeared upon the plants in fair numbers, late in the 

 season, but I do not think caused much injury to the crop. 

 September 25, one rod was harvested that weighed 78| 

 pounds, or at the rate of 209 1 bushels to the acre. 



Expenses. 



Ploughing twice, harrowiug, etc., $6 00 



Manure, 32 00 



Seed and planting, 5 50 



Cultivating and hoeing, 2 75 



Harvesting, 6 00 



Total, $52 25 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Potatoes. — The potato is a native of America, having been 

 found growing spontaneously near Valparaiso in about the 

 year 1550. It has since been found growing wild in the 

 mountains of Mexico and Central America. 



The sweet potato originated in Asia, and was imported into 

 Europe long before the American or Irish potato. Sir Walter 

 Raleigh first carried potatoes into Ireland and planted them 

 in his garden in 1610. It was many years afterwards before 

 they were planted in fields for a crop. They were carried 



