“TATER PICKIN”

Back bent in pain — Never straighten it again; Half the vertebra out — Rest cracked, no doubt. Liniment not much help; One rub one yelp,

Lost my enthusiasm - Tummy one big chasm Pockets heavy with clay, Quitting time years away. Stumble on two pegs That once were legs. Stop for a drink -

Get another bad kink, Six o’clock, I wash,

But Oh, my gosh,

Hope I am able

To reach the table!

Bath water’s so red Thought I had bled! Into bed - groan — then Off goes Big Ben,

Can’t move a muscle Without a tussle,

Next year, by gum,

I’ll wise up, some —

If I’m found pickin’ Give me a Kickin’

- S. BARLOW BIRD Freetown, P.E.I.

POTATO FARMING P.E.I. is currently the major potato producing province in Canada and over the years has gained a reputation for the quality of its seed and table potatoes. The cool climate, good soil conditions (naturally acidic and low stone content) and easy access to water transport are all factors in the growth of this industry. P.E.I. farmers had the highest average yield per acre in Canada in 1982 with 262 (hundredwcight). That year potatoes accounted for 35 070 of the total farm cash receipts in the province, in the highest ratio in Canada. Potatoes are also the top seller by weight at the produce counter and have been for some years.

Freetown is located in one of the prime potato growing regions of the province. Today potato farming is a highly mechanized industry much evolved from the early days of planting potatoes in mounds of soil between stumps of trees. Over the years many residents and non—residents of Freetown have been active in potato farming in the community. Potato farming and production involves a large number of people in one capacity or another: tilling the soil, planting seed, spraying for pests, top killing, roguing, harvesting, packaging, grading, transporting, inspecting and processing. Those who haven’t been directly involved may have been involved indirectly by supplying materials and equipment, benefitting from the extra cash flow or perhaps simply by enjoying the beauty of a field of potatoes in full blossom.

Early History (1810-1916)

Potatoes have been grown since the arrival of the first settlers in Freetown around 1810. These people planted potatoes between the stumps of trees using a hoe. As they cleared the trees, they planted potatoes in rows or mounds. By the 18305 ploughs with wooden mouldboards, pulled by oxen or draft horses, were used to till the soil. A census taken in 1834 shows that some 1420 bushels of potatoes were grown in lot 25. This was from a total area of less than 10 acres. In 1840 John Taylor of Freetown (code 47) grew 700 bushels

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