130 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



but at this distance not over two stalks should be allowed to 

 stand in a place. If planted in hills they should be two to 

 two and a half feet each way. The seed should be covered 

 quite deep, generally about three inches. 



When the tops appear and can be easily traced, a cultivator 

 should go over the field, between the rows, each way. This 

 will destroy the weeds just growing and loosen the earth 

 around the hills. When plants are sufficiently advanced, the 

 process should be repeated, and finished up with a hand-hoe. 

 The rows should not be hilled up much on dry ground, but 

 more on damp or clayey. 



Seed potatoes should be selected with care, of medium to 

 large size, and from a not over-ripened crop. Potatoes that 

 are not over-ripe contain more life and vitality than those left 

 until the tops are entirely dead. 



Cut seed should be used, for economy, if for no other 

 reason. Two or three good stalks in each hill always yield 

 much better potatoes than a larger number. The tendency 

 of all potatoes is to fall back to their wild state, and only by 

 carefully selecting seed can any variety be kept pure. 

 Always use good potatoes for seed. Put in each hill two 

 pieces each with a single eye, or if in drills, one piece at each 

 interval. Cut with a sharp knife and handle carefully. 

 There is always danger of over-seeding, and seldom of using 

 too little. Over-seeding is certain to produce a larger pro- 

 portion of small potatoes, while light seeding yields less in 

 number, but much larger and nicer. 



Wm. J. Rotch, Chairman. 



