Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-05-18
THE FARM:
The Garden...Thc Orchard.
Potato.

1he potato IS naive OF Soutn AWerica,
and in the vicinity of Quito, is known uh-
der the name of Papas known in Virgil
MIA as early as 1884, then cultivated by
the colonists. The early writer's give strange
accounts Of this root some state they are
only fit for swine, and others extol them as
a delicate dish. The potato is species of
very eztensice family Of Plants, to be
found in most parts of the globe, and few
of this family are very poisonous, while
othess are extensively cultivated as food.
The eggplant and tomato belongs to this
family. For few years past the potato
has been subject to disease, and thousands
of pages have been written by different
theorists proposing remedies, and Offering
rationales,all Of which have as yet proeed
useless.
The legislature Of Massachusetts, offered
premium Of $4,000 for a remedy for
this disease. Early planting seems to be
the best corrective, as the potatoes iipen
before the disease commences, it generally
occurring late in the season. The potato
is almost the only plant which may be
grown successfully By the rse ofraw muck
from swamps, river-mud, or pond or ditch
scrapings, without other amendment. The
habits of the plant have undergone very
great changes during the prevalence Of the
disease. Formerly every potato vine had
a large number of seedballs upon3t with
in the last few years these are less frequent
and indeed in many cases none at all are
to BE- found. The kinds which continue
to bear the seed balls are less liable to dis
ease than those which do not.
Varieties.-The varieties of the potato
arising from cultivation are too numerous
to be even cataiogued in this article. A
mong the more popular sorts now grown,
we would name the early Mammoth Nut
meg, as the best in quality, and the crly
kind which has thus far entirely escaped
the ravages Of the potato disease. 1t keeps
so we'll that in spring it is as hard and as
firm as when FIRST dug from the ground
1t is the earliest potato known, aud We
have had them upon our table on the 20th
day of June. They have been sold readi
ly this year in very large quantities, at
two dollars per brshel for seed The yield
Of the Mammoth Nutmeg Potato is per-
haps not so great as some other kinds, but
by liberal cultivation we have succeeded
in raising $50 bushels per acre. Its size
is somewhat less than the Mercer. 1t is
round ,apple-like in figure, slightly iudented
by the eyes, and always boils dry, and has
fine favor. We cannot but recommend
the further cultivation Of this potato. By
planting the larger tubers for FIVE success
site years, we have been enabled to in
crease its size very considerably, and it is
now sufficiently large &c be desirable.
The Carter Potato, Halls Early Junes,
the Early Mercer, the Early White Mer-
Ger, and the Bermuda Red, have each, ID
turn, enjoyed enviablc reputation as early
potatoes, but have all become diseased, SO
that occasionally crops are lost in many
parts of the country. Among the late po-
.atoes which still hold high character,
may be named the Maine Mercer, the Pink
Mercer, the Western Red, the Bermuda
Yellow and the Scotch Grey. As pota-
to for spring use, the Old Merino is still
largely cultivated in Monmouth Co., New
Jersey, and in some other localities. This
potato is very large, yields we'll, thickly
studded with eyes, s,and althoagh Of inferior
quality If eaten during the fall and winter,
improves much by spring, and is then
quite saleable in our markets, usually
bringing a somewhat less price than
other tiote fatotite kinds. 1t is easy of
cultivation, and does not suffer quite SO
severely as some other kinds from drought,
THIS is probably the Long John Of our
vicinitr.-Lew. Chronicle.
Cuhiraftor THE modes Of cultivating
potatoes are almost as numerous as the
kinds, and We shall therefore content our
selves with detailing what We consider the
best
Preparation Of Seed.-Most farmers
cut the tubers in pieces of two or more
eyes, and many plant even the smallest
potatoes. We have experimental most
fully on this subject and with the greatest
accuracy, and therefore speak confidently
in favor Of the method pursued by our
selves A few years since, Mr.. r. Is. Pell
announced at the farmers Club, that dur
ing the scarcity he had from motives of eco
nomy taken out the eyes from potatoes
with a gouge, so as to leave half sphere
of the Hesh behind each eye, that these
eyes when planted, would yield the same
number of bbtatoes as If the tubers had
been planted whole or in TIE usual size of
cut sets, leaving the great mass Of the po-
tato for use. We have repeated this ex-
pertinent csery year since, and it is true
that the same number Of potatoes have