Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-07-12
AGRICULTURAL.
CHELSEA. July 4, 1868.

cHELsEA, July 4, 1865.
Editors Memphis Appeal:
perused with much pleasure the
/ communication of Mr.. Geo. w. Gift,
giving his practice and results in the cul-
ture Of the early Goodrich potato. You
will remember the specimens furnished
you, and which were noticed by
you in the APPEAL of the Both April.
The largest Of that handful was four
and half inches in circumference, and
taken from the hill on the s51tieth day
after they were planted. Since then I
have observed their progress with no lit
tie interest. [ took no especial pains in
their planting or IN cultivation. The
soil in my garden was in very good con-
dition had it spaded Christmas week,
just before the big snow fell. Previous
to respading in February, gave it alght
| dressing Of stable manure. Planted in
hills about two and half feet apart each
way, but which l found was too close,
as l was seant of earth to hill up. Holes
were made six inches deep, one-third
filed with well rotted manure, on which
the potatoes we're laid, eyes up (when
cut, usually two halves or one whole
potato to the hill. Then covered with
earth, leaving the entire surface after
planting quite level. All the potatoes
planted in this patch would size with
guinea and hens eggs-the largest were
cut in half, the smallest put in whole
Planted part on the 22d and part on the
18th February. First came up between
the 18th and Goth March. Hoed them
on the 30th Heavy frost on Sth April,
which nipped their tops considerably.
Killed them up in ridges about the 18th
Of April, which was the last work done
on them.
Now for results. First potatoes found,
as above stated, on sixtieth day. On the
SEVENTEEN day grabbed eleven pota-
toes from a hill, large enough to eat-a
nice little mess for my family. On 22d
May, Just three months from time of
planting, grabbed from about -
hills bushel and half of marketable
potatoes from size of walnuts up to that
Of duck eggs, which sold readily for
three dollars a bushel to dealer. His
only complaint was that I didn't have
more to sell him. On July 1st 1 dug
several hills. One hill, from which ten
eatable potatoes had been grabbed in
May, yielded sixteen, weighing full four
pounds, running from the size of hen
eggs (none smaller) up to that of goose
eggs, the largest weighing ten ounces.
Another hill, which had not been grab
bled, turned out seventeen potatoes of
same average size, weighing also full
four pounds. Another yielded nineteen
weighing three and half pounds. The
seed in these hills were of the Goodrich
variety, but of Western growth last year,
as Mr.. Craig informed me. Landreths
Goodrich, in rows adjoining, yielded
thus first hill, twenty-six potatoes,
weighing three pounds second hill,
twenty-nine, weighing same third Hill,
thirty-seyen, weighing three pounds
eight ounces-the largest was of duck
egg size, but the greater number small,
from walnut size down to that of a large
plum. [ have one hill that is a curios-
ity. In May nineteen were grabbed
from it, IN June twelve, on lst July four,
none less than a large walnut; and one
of the stalks, which [ am taking espe-
cial care of, when the earth is removed
resembles bunch of grapes, more then
a dozen small ones being clustered
around it.
Respectfully, J.P. PRESCOTT.
P. S.-Opened four more hills this
morning two yielded four pounds !
each, the other two over three pounds |
each. The four largest from these hills
weigh three pounds, next four two
pounds. J.P.
IsRAELITEs are constantly subjected |