Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-01
agricultural
CIorer otter Potatoes.

We were long since reluctantly con-
WINGED that clover will not flourish near
IL as well following a crop OF potatoes,
rs it will after most other farm crops.
Experience has taught uS-and some
what extended observation has proved
that our experience is not exceptional
that well set, thick field of clover ia
rarely to be met with following grain
crop alter potatoes. Indeed. so July
have we been convinced OF this. that we
have ut times thought the statement
would be safe, that such could not be
found. The results are different with
ont doubt on different soils, and on the
same soil when under different treatment,
still the rule. We are confident, holds
good. Since our attention was called to
this mstter we have carefully observed
results. We had under observation last
year large field OF uniformly strong
soil. previously plOwed and ranured
alike and at the same time, all sOwn vita
wheat when seeded TO ciover-a part cl
which has been planted with corn and 4
pant 10 potatoes When the grass
mostly cioyer-was cut. that on the poi-
ton where cora Was grown Was Judged
10 be double that where potatoes were
grown. The past winter clover was not
killed al all, and at the present time the
difference promises TO BE a. great rs last
wear Within sight OF the window where
Ne are now writing, are TWO fields seed
"a to grass last wear, which illustrate The
point We would enforce in marked de-
cree. One is 4 yellow, sandy loan, tax
en- from pasture in the iiIl OF 1870,
ploughed and manured broadcast with
heavy application Of manure the same
fail Ia the spring OF ISL = portion OF
the field was planted to corn and part
10 poiatoes-treated alike save that the
corn was treated TO - small application
OF compost in the hill. \ heavy crop OF
corn was harvested. while the potatoes.
like all planted that year, made light
yield. In the spring OF 1872 another
broadcast application of manure was APP
Piled alike over the whole field. covered
shallow with the plow, and the whole
sown with Glove, 10 oats. \ good crop
of course was harvested. To-day
where he corn was grown IS As hand
some stand Of clover Is the eye OF =
farmer ever rested on; while upon that
portion where the potatoes were grown.
the clover is weak, thin and uneven
many spots being entirely bare.
The other field referred TO Is a deep,
moist soil, part planted 10 potatoes and
part in fodder corn. The potatoes
were manurcd in the hill. and the fodder
corn in the drill. The crop of potatoes
MAS an averaged one, The fodder corn eX-
ceedingly heavy. Last year it was
treated With a broadcast application of
manure. plowed in shallow. and sown to
barley, " the present time the outlines
OF The portion on which fodder corn was
grown are plainly marked Is when the
corn was growinS--tho clover being
thick and vigorous. while where the POI
,atOes were grown il Is thin and weak.
Many othcI fields might be referred TO
were it necessary. We have thus been
particular in describing these tina, our
readers might know that the present dii.
ference is wholly due TO the corn and
potatoes.
This is = matter OF great importance.
especially in those section. of the State
where potatoes are grown extensively
Tor market. No system of agriculture
can long flourish. save in limited areas
situated near large towns, without an
abundant supply Of grass aud hay.
(botanists DO no: class clover with The
glasses, but farmers do not cac 10 make
the distinction, so we make no distinc-
ton here.) II then the growing Ut pc
tatoes IS directly and Immediately effect
hs the grass crop TO serious extent.
farmers viii DO we'll to consider whether
their present course is not open to seri-
Gus objections. Furthermore, when the
reuovating effects of clover. now 50 well
understood, are taken into account it
viii be seen that there is a double loss.
An immediate loss from reduction OF
the hay crop aud the resulting manure
heaps, and the loss coming still later of
the renoyating effects OF clover. Are
the profits in potato culture sufficient 10
balance the account? We are aware
that many farmers in all sections OF the
State have this spring reduced the usual
area in corn, thinking the same in pola-
toes exchanged for corn will bring great
profits. II we have been led TO correct
conclusions they are paying "booI" not
counted at the time ofexchange
Farmer.
Dairy Notes from Massachusetts.
At late meeting of the Franklin
County Mass Farmers Institute, a
spirited discussion was held upon the