The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-17
agr(eulturaI.
From the New-England Farmer.
CULTIVATION OF POTATOES.


CULTIVATION OF POTATOES.
WORCESTER COUNTY, 4th Mo. 10, 1896.
There have been grievous complaints by
the people of Boston for number of years
land not withoutjust cause) of bad potatoes.
nave noticed number of scientific disluisi-
tons upon the subject, but none that exactly
accords with my views. However hcor-
rect may oe in my conclusions upon the
SUBJECT, may run but little risk in stating
what think have satisfactorily ascertaned
TO be the best method for me, on nv land foI
Insuring good potatoes. About fifteen years
since, purchased some of the common Alue
potatoes for seed. The seller said the p.ta-
toes had heretofore been very good, but he
thought they had lost their good quality, and
that by changing them Gas the phrase isl they
would do better. Iw.s young and inexperi
enced, but had no faith in his hypothesis.
However, the potatoes were i'll shaped things
and, when cooked, as free from any farina-
ceous appearance as picked cucumber. !
planted them on piece of land that was
subdLing, dunged them lightly with winter
dung, which was spread and narrowed in.
ne crop was nliddling, and the potatoes, for
a ,!i uinn and winter eating, tolerably good.
Inc next season | MANFRED the same land
with winter dung, and poughed it in; round,
lalr and m'ddling sized potatoes only were
seIectea from the previous years growth, for
seedi they were planted in the usual way,
TWO IN a hill; ploughed and hoed twice.
The succeeding autumn they yielded good
crop oil mostly round, fair and handsome po-
tatoes, and for eating never saw better
helr superior quality was noticed by all
who ale them. now considered that thee
potatoes had regained their original god
quality; and that it was effected by selecting
the seed only; but it was an erroneous col
clusion.
Inc third year the seed was selected as be-
lore; part OF the same field, p,oughed ami
MANFRED in the same way as the year before,
was planted; some Of the selected seed was
also planted in field that had for number
OF years been cutivated-here, several rows
were dunged in the hill with fine mixed ma
nure, and about as many with only handful
Of plaster. In the fall commenced digging
successfully of the three different paintings
Tor table use those dunged in the hill, APP
pearins nearest maturity, began upon them
hrst; found their appearance different from
those raised the J ear before, more long ones-
some part eaten by worms, and Others with
small ones attached 10 them by narrow necks
They were cooked, but instead of being sound,
mealy potatoes, they were of but an ordinary
had hard balls in the middle,
and others hollow. | next dug some OF those
that were plastered their appearance was
better, less small ones, no effects Of worms,
but less in hill-when cooked they were
better than the others, but very in
ferior TO the Cd years crop. Here my scheme
Tor The Improvement Of run-out potatoes was
for moment frustrated; however, the next
trial was upon those in the new field here the
hills afforded good yield of round, far and
clear potatoes; when boiled, they were as
good as the I'd years growth, but nothing
improved. ! continued experiments, (always
careful IN the selection Of the seed) and the
4th year ploughed and fenced, with posts and
rails, piece OF green sward in my pasture
narrowed IN coarse dung, aud had an excel
lent crop of the best OF potatoes, (some of
these sold in Boston for so cents, when they
were plenty in the market for 80 and SO
cents.) also planted around cornfeld
two rows; this field had been ploughed
years 10 winter dung ploughed
in, and fine mixed manure put to the hills :;
these potatoes yielded as we'll and perhaps
some more than those in the pasture, but they
were more deformed and less farinaceous
and IN the following spring there was great
difference in the potatoes. | now believed
that to Taise good potatoes and TO preserve,
undImlnlshed, the quality of the kind, that
something more was necessary to be observed,
than the selection of the seed. Therefore,
Tor myself, adopted the following method,
from conclusions drawn from the foregoing
experiments, and from general observation
and inquiry upon the SUBJECT. First, TO select
such potatoes, shape and size, as | wish to
raise. Secondly, TO plant them on new or
green sward land, two, and not TO exceed
three years i'll succession. Thirdly, to use no
other than winter dung Except the addition
of plaster TO the hills on vines) for manure
dressing, to spread this and mingle it with the
soil being generally free of worms, and.its
decomposition will be about the time the
roots Of the potatoes need its nourishment.
And fourthly, never to plant them on a wet
or claycy soil. BY observing these particu
lars have always had good potatoe9 my
blues still keep, and don't know that can
find better, notwithstanding some thought
them run out more than fifteen years ago.
Whoever is disposed to adopt the above meth.
cd and perform it, will no more be troubled
with the disagreeable tang of rank and wa
terry 'potatoes--and for what they have 10
spare, the citizens Of Boston, presume, will
willingly pay them a good price. am Of the
opinion that good potatoes for table use, are
seldom produced from fields that have been
long and high cultivated. Perhaps some o.
the agriculturalists near Boston may be in.
duced to try the experiment, il It has moi
been particularly tried. continue TO plough
small pieces in my pasture, when have nc
green sward Of number of years. standinl
that wish to turn up, and find my pasture
benefited by it. ! will add no more TO Tho
subject this time, but submit the foregoing {,
the better Judgment of experienced anc
practical farmers.
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