from Florida to Maine are constantly seeking the markets of 

 the State, and why early potatoes from the extreme south come 

 to this market long before last season's crop from Maine has 

 ceased to arrive. In fact, potatoes are coming from somewhere 

 outside of the State practically every day in the year. 



This introduction to the subject of potato growing has been 

 written for the express purpose of emphasizing the fact that the 

 business, from the growers' standpoint, is even less than half 

 what it should be. Growers can with certainty double their 

 acreage or preferably their yield, knowing full well that every 

 bushel will be needed in the State. There is, then, every 

 reason why a farmer should look with favor upon this branch 

 of his business. He should certainly try to expand it, and 

 supply from the farms of the State more of the potatoes that 

 are consumed within her borders. 



Why hesitate to engage in a business for which natural con- 

 ditions are so favorable? 



The soil in most parts of the State is well suited to the crop, 

 the climate is favorable, enough rainfall can usually be de- 

 pended upon to insure abundant growth, and above all the 

 quality of the home-grown potatoes is usually far superior to 

 those from elsewhere. There are always enough potatoes, but 

 there is a large market awaiting every producer who can carry 

 to it potatoes of a superior quality. The problem of the 

 Massachusetts grower is, therefore, to so thoroughly understand 

 the few essential points which insure both quality and quantity 

 that he can come nearer supplying the real demands of his own 

 market than at present. 



The first essential in potato growing is a liking for the 

 business and a determination to succeed, for this will insure a 

 careful study of the subject and the proper attention to details, 

 without which success is impossible. 



At the outset one should provide himself with a set of potato 

 machinery consisting of at least a horse-power planter, costing 

 about $90, a horse-power sprayer, costing about SI 10, and a 

 digger of the elevator style, costing about $125. 



Add to this list a two-horse riding cultivator, costing about 

 $75, and one has a set of substantial standard implements that 

 will last tlirough many seasons. 



