90 



The foregoing experiments prove, what all experienced farmers 

 were convinced of, that poor land requires more seed in all kinds of 

 crops, than that under a high state of cultivation. 



N. B. A bushel of potatoes weighs 56 to 58 lbs. 



The potato used for seed in the above described experiments 

 was the large blue." 



Robert Campbell of Pittsfield, states that potatoes, which are cut 

 early, come up sooner ; and remain through the season in advance 

 of those which are not thus cut. This, he says, is confirmed by the 

 experience of other farmers, who recommend therefore that potatoes 

 should be cut and dried sometime before planting. 



Jonathan Allen of Pittsfield has tried planting 45 bushels of seed to 

 an acre, and in another case 13 bushels ; the result in the latter 

 case was better than in the former. This is at variance with the ex- 

 perience of many farmers. He is desirous of having four sprouts in 

 a hill. The quantity of seed to an acre should depend somewhat on 

 the manner of planting and condition of the land. Drill planting re- 

 quires more seed than planting in hills ; but the crop may be ex- 

 pected to be larger. In drills three feet apart and with good sized 

 sets or cuttings one foot apart in the rows about twenty-five bushels 

 for seed will be required. 



Wm. Boardman of Sheffield, who is successful in raising very fine 

 potatoes and of a large size, always plants those which are large ; and 

 says they should not be planted deeply ; nor covered much ; nor 

 often ploughed. His potatoes, which I saw, were remarkable for the 

 absence of small potatoes. 



They have a black potato in Pittsfield, of a kidney shape, which 

 is of great excellence, but does not yield abundantly. I do not 

 know its origin. In the starch manufactory at Williamstown, they 

 have found the long red or La Plata potato unfit for their pin-poses 

 until the spring, and then not deemed equal to many other kinds. 

 This would seem to indicate the proper time for eating it ; and for 

 giving it to stock. 



Mr. Plunkett of South Adams, gives the opinion of an Irish gen- 

 tleman, strongly against giving potatoes freely to milch cows. It is 

 condemned in his country, as serving to enlarge to too great a|degree 

 the milk vessels of the animal and thus produce disease. The ani- 



