Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-12
AGrirmltttral.
FROM THE PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL.

| FROM THE PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL.
! In the Christian Almanac we find the follow
ing statement which has already been copiet
into some of our papers
| *PorATpEs. Phey flourish well OF
grcenswaFd, and with very coarse ma
nure, which should be put under the
seed. The earlierthey are planted the
better, that they may be ripe before
the heavy rains in the fall. 1t is cheap
err to plant them 1chole than cat the
pototoe was designed to nourish and
support the stock The last hocing
should be done before the potatoes are
in blossom, lest new set of roots
should be formed. To preserve them
for summer eating rub off the sprout:
the first of June, and put them in a dry
dark place above ground, like a barn
floor. Let them be dug in dry wealth
er, and put dry into the cellar. To
get new kinds Of potatoes, plant the
balls in the fall"
In statements which are made in any
publication, which is circulated so wide
ly as an almanac or newspaper, it is de-
sirable that Information may be given
with such correctness that it may be re-
lied on.-Though | trust our farmers
are generally too we'll acquainted with
the method of raising potatoes TO require
teaching or TO be led astray by such
statements as the above, yet there may
be some who, for want of experience Of
their own, might adopt these directions
for the benefit Of such we make the fol-
lowing remarks.
That potatoes flourish well on green
sward, when well pIoughed is readily
admitted !; that they also flourish we'll
on land already under tillage, is equally
true. When they are planted on land
subject to excess of moisture, or when
cultivated for early use the manure
should be put under the seed, but from
repeated observations 1 am convinced
that on dry light land, subject more &c
the extreme drought, potatoes do grow
better, when the manure is placed ovel
the seed.
That any one who has the leas
knowledge on the subject should state,
that s'the earlier they are planted the
better" is truly surprising This year
they might have been Planted as early
as the first or second week in March
but every one who has tried the expert
ment may know that even for early use
it is not proper to plant them at tina
season. No, not in March nor even il
April, should potatoes be planted fol
winter use, but in the latter part of May
Yes, maintain and | could bring many
experienced farmers to support the
assertion, that the best season for plant.
ing the English Whites and Blue potatoes
which are indisputably the best varie
ties now raised, is generally the las
week in May. The difference of one
week, however, is of little consequence
for they generally do well when plant
ed the first of June. The reason offer
ed for early planting is such as to lea'
to the belicfthatlhey should be dug be
fore the ''heavy rains," or early in tn
fall which is as incorrect as early plant
ing. They should be dug in season II
secure them from frost, but for tabI
use not earlier than safely to avoid il
which season is about the month of DC
tober, in this latitude. 1t is an undoubt
ed fact, though perhaps not general,
known, that potatoes, which are dug
while the ground is dry and housed il
warm weather, will not retain the swee
rich favour and mealy appearance
which those will do which remain long
er in the ground. To insure goo'
crop ofsuPerior quality, procure YOU
seed from the northerly part of thu
country, as the State of Maine, once ii
four or five yeats. YEOyN.4N
April 26, 1894.