of the farmers who participated in mutual agreements: George Paynter and George Jardine , Fred Paynter and Cecil Paynter , Cecil Reeves , Clarence Reeves and Robert S.P. Jardine ; Cecil Paynter and Albert Campbell , Colby and Johnny Lewis , Leslie Simmons and Silas MacFarlane , Everett Schurman and Brewer Auld . A typical mixed farm growing potatoes at Freetown in 1957 was operated by George and Robert Jardine They farmed 275 acres of land of which 225 acres were cleared. They planted about 22 acres of potatoes in two fields. These were the expenses: Fertilizer ................................................................$1,066.70 Spray Material.............................................. 9\ 42 Seed Potatoes............................................ 181 00 Labour for digging......................................................... 470 00 Hired HelP............................................................'.'.'. 100^00 Hired Help Bonus............................................... 244 44 Machinery costs ............................................. 925 00 Fuel..................................................................... 300.00 Crop Insurance.............................................. jqq qq Total $3478.57 Robert and George looked after the expenses of growing their potatoes but shared equipment costs with Cecil and Clarence Reeves and they all helped each other in harvesting. Harvesting was a labour intensive operation in 1957 for this partnership, due to the use of an elevator digger which required the hiring of several potato pickers who used potato baskets. A list of potato pickers hired to harvest the crop is given. It should be mentioned that many pickers only worked for a few days, thus the long list of pickers. Mary Rogers , Noreen Gaudet , Claude Gaudet , Joyce Murphy , Wayne Reeves, Donna Reeves, Marjorie Reeves , Farrell Reeves, Wilfred Arsenault , Colborne Clow, Bobby Jardine , Denton Clow , Donnie Reeves , Leo Deighan , Donna Deighan, Melinda Murphy , Hester Lecky , Ray Wedge , Joseph Gaudet , Lewis Wedge , Sandra Jardine, Russell Bradley , George Chocart and Charlie Hogan . The latter 3 were from , N.S. It was commonplace at this time to hire pickers from the local area, , and even Cape Breton to assist in the potato harvest. Room and board was provided for pickers who had travelled from outside the local area. A noon meal was provided for all pickers at the farm home where digging was occurring. This was a major task for the women of the household who also had to prepare a hearty lunch in the mid morning and mid afternoon. _ In addition to the hired pickers, Cecil Reeves , Clarence Reeves , Robert Jardine , Clarence Arsenault and Eloi Gallant were also involved in the digging operation. The latter two were year round farm labourers who worked for Cecil Reeves and Robert Jardine respectively. Eloi Gallant was paid a wage of $12.50 per week plus the use of a house for his family and received the proceeds from one acre of potatoes. He received $244.44 for his acre of potatoes in 1957. This figure was based on 271 bags of #1 grade at 84« and 28 bags of seconds at 60c per bag. Robert Jardine started digging on 27 September and finished on 22 October. His income from the sale of potatoes was $5,015.20 and resulted in a profit of just over $1536.00 or $70.00 per acre. In the same year, Austin Scales made a profit of $184.02 per acre on a total of 77.5 acres of poatotes. This was a good year for potato growers at Freetown ! In the late 1950s potatoes were planted on a four or five year crop rotation scheme. A typical rotation was: potatoes, grain, hay, pasture and pasture all over a 5 year period. Lime was added to increase the soil pH but care was taken to not let the pH get too high, lest scab problems develop in the potato crop. Although harvest was the busiest season for potato farmers, the crop required regular attention throughout the year. Before planting, the farmer had to purchase and prepare his seed. In the 1950s many farmers still cut their seed pieces by hand using local labour and some good set knives. The soil then had to be prepared for planting. Usually fields were ploughed and limed the previous fall and required only discing and harrowing in the spring. Planting usually began in early to mid-May and sometimes lasted until late June. Before and during planting, chemical fertilizer was delivered to each field and was applied with the seed planter. In the late 1950's a two row planter was the most common and fertilizer was applied at a rate of one half to one ton per acre. After planting, cultivation and hilling were required as soon as potato plants emerged. Insect infestations had to be sprayed with an insecticide like arsenate of lime and in addition Bordeaux mixture or Perenox was used to prevent blight. Weeds were not commonly sprayed at this time and were controlled by scuffling, and hilling and were pulled during the roguing process. Roguing had to be completed before the potato 51