The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-09-30

tom J0uTnGt. -uEs
GATHERING AND PRESERVING POTA-
TOES.-Wth regard to the time in which potatoes
should be gathered. we have found that practical
farmers entertain different opinions. II is however,
acknowledged by all, that when intended for cons1mP
ton and not Cor seed they should not be gathered I'LL
they are ripe. The ripeness of the potaoe may be
perceived by the appearance Of the tops, which Will
begin decay soon as the roots have arrived at
maturity. After that period we are told by some Gull
tvators it is important that the potatoes should be
gathered and housed as convenient, or imme-
diatev after the tops deeayed either by rpeness or
frost Others say that potatoes will keep bestn their
native beds till the ground is frozen But at any rate,
ii is best not defer digging till very late, lest cold
weather should shut them the ground till spring and
perhaps destroy them.
The old fashion mode Of harvesting potatoes was,
10 dry them in the sum as you would grass for hay.
Rees' Cyclopedia directs, as potatoes are
gathered, they should be akoccd to remain some days
to drv before they arr sfored. This we believe be
wrong, especially in our climate; for an exposure of
two or three days cloudiess sun in September or
October, would cause potatoes to turn green taste
strong and bitter and become in degree poison
ous II is said by practical farmers, that the less
potatoes are exposed to and air after being taken
from the ground the BETTER and is advisable to per-
NIT some part of the soil in which they have grown to
adhere to and mix with them, when housed. 1t may
be hest however, not to dig and deposite potatoes I'M
rnediately after heavy rain, but permit them to re-
main few days in the hills, to get rid Of their super
nos moisture which will in due time be expelled by
the vital energies Of the roots.
Mr. Buel Of Albany, observes, !" were better that
the sun shine upon potatoes that they should be
housed with all the dirt that adhees them, that it is
beneficial to add dirt in the bin cask, to ex-
cude external air much possible, and that their
surface should be kept moist and the atmosphere
which surrounds them as little above the freezing
point as possible.
SAVE GOOD SEED.-Some farmers and gar-
deners allow their earliest peas beans, CORN cucnm.
hers. &c to be picked for eating, and "what is
left or the latest and refuse for seed then they will
complain that they degenerate. The finest and earli
est Of every kind of vegetable should be saved for
aeed: nv this method, instead of degenerating, they
NAV be improved. Every cutivater should attend TO
this subject for il is very much neglected, and great
loss is occasoned for want of little time and aten-
tion-Mainc Farmer.
A VISIT-Our people were thrown into state of
considerable emotion last Monday and Tuesday, by
the encampment of a body of Indians from Canada,
about IS in number, who took up their lodging in the
woods near the house Of Samuel Picket, about miles
from the village. They remained there until about
o'clock on Tuesday, when they passed through the
and still remain. They appear to be comfortably off
for Indians, having several horses and Wagons and
a good supply Of blankets and Buffalo robes They
are of the ST. Francis tribe, in Canada and are the
descendants of Eunice Williams, daughter of the Rev.
John Williams who, il will be recollected, was, with
his family, carried captive when Deerfeld was de-
stroyed in 1904. One Of the party, woman of &c
years, the mother Of the rest, is grand daughter to
Eunice. She scorns the efemnate of civilized life,
as much as her grand mother did when she visited her
afflicted father, and ressts every opportunity to lodge
in DOORS They are very Hospitality treated by the
Deerfeld people. We understand they will return to
their homes from which they have been absent nearly
year, by the way Of Albany. -Greenfeld Gazette.