10] 



• STATEMENT OF HORACE F. LONGFELLOW. 



I herewith transmit my statements regarding Onion and 

 Potato crops. The land — one-half acre — on which the onions 

 were raised, that I entered for the Society's premium, is a part 

 of the piece that I entered as an " experiment with manures," 

 and has been manured with nothing but Phosphate, for the 

 last five years ; the two first years, with Russell Coe's, and the 

 last three, with the " Standard." It has invariably been 

 ploughed to the depth of four inches, in the Fall^ and in the 

 Spring, the Phosphate sowed broadcast, at the rate of 1600 

 lbs. per acre, until the present year, when 2000 lbs. was ap- 

 plied and harrowed in. The seed used, was raised by the well 

 known onion raiser^ Mr. Geo. A. Randall, of Newbury, and 

 was sowed on the 1st day of May, at the rate of four lbs. per 

 acre. On the other part of the bed, seed raised in Peabody 

 was used. The Peabody onions were some two weeks earlier^ 

 but were not nearly so prolific as the Randall seed. The rows 

 were the usual distance apart — 14 inches — and the cultivation 

 was thorough. We have just finished topping them and have 

 364 baskets of fine, well ripened onions ; 10 of the baskets 

 were weighed, and all but one basket overran a bushel from 1 

 to 3 pounds. 



The result is not up to the committee's estimate, but still is 

 a good crop, all things considered. I enclose a certificate of 

 the measurement of the land, by Mr. Wm. H. Osgood, a com- 

 petent surveyor. 



It is an even question with me, whether a larger amount of 

 Phosphate could be used profitably. I think we shall slightly 

 increase the amount next year, on a part of the bed. In this 

 statement I have endeavored to be very accurate, for I consider 

 the Phosphate question one of vital importance to all farmers 

 located at a distance from large towns. 



