The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-02-25
Tie Potato Mania.

al of the excitement produced by the
rival potato-growers. Last spring it
seemed as though our seedsmen were de-
mented, so enormous were. the prices
asked and received for the early
Rose When first brought into notice
extensively, they sold quickly at 81 per
pound but soon the demand so far
exceeded the supply that 81, and even
81 per pound was demanded and gwen
for this marvellous esculent. The excite
ment has not quite attained the portions
of the Tulip mania in Holland, where
one man gave all his wealth for one
small bulb but it will increase greatly
this coming spring. The Early Rose
originated in Hubbardston, Vermont.
MIR. Breeze was the fortunate cultivator
OF this pearl among potatoes, 1--WE should
think it should have been named the
Pearl rather than the Rose), but with
the usual fate of originators, he has not
reaDed the greatest harvest. D. s. Hef-
from, of Utica, first introduced it to the
public notice. and early in the spring OF
60 disposed his whole stock to B. K.
Bliss and Son, names well known to all
our readers. They first announced that
only one pound would be sold to one
person, but finally were offered 500 for
a bushel, which they could not refuse.
The mania spread until $3.50 per bushel
was obtained. 1t cannot be said of them
Small potatoes and few in the hill.
1t is asserted that from one pound Of
the Early Rose one barrelful has
been raised. We believe this was under
the fostering care OF Peter Henderson
Of New York that prince among culti-a-
tors no less experienced a gardener
could have accomplished such remark
able result; but yield of one-huEdred
fold has been of frequent occurrence.
So that those who paid So per pound
have been fully repaid for the expense
and labor. OF course few of these rare
potatoes are as yet brought to the
table, though we recall the anecdote
of our estimabld friend: who furnished
his table with few bushels at the
expense it is said, of $750 All who
have tasted the potato pronounce it a
great addition to the table.
They are remarkably vigorous in
growth, producing fine green foliage
Potatoes planted in New York State the
Goth of May last, were fully ripe July
Sth, and samples were exhibited weigh
ing from four to five ounces each.
1t was supposed that the ''Ear,y Rose"
had settled the question of the coming
potato 1t had come-it was tho ne plus
ultra Not at all We hear most won
derful accounts of No 4, and Broezee' s
and not yet fully introduced to the pub
lie. Yet fabulous prices have been paid
for them-$5O Tor one tuber of No. 4,
$50 paid for sixteen potatoes enc man
gave 4 COW worth so for one pototo ::
and still more marvellous one farmer
gave $50 for one eye! We thought
these accounts newspaper stories to
raise the wind, y but a friend living near
that region, whence these wonders origi-
mated, informs US that they are true as
the needle to the pole. Some of the
arrest potatoes are kept under glass, so
fearful are The proprietors ofloslng them.
Indeed are they SO precious that We can
hardly find place in our house safe
enough to keep our Early Roses, and
one No. 2. They are carefully put away
in sand in box, but when the mercury
sinks as it did the other night. far below
the all important cipher, we shivered
for the fate of our tubers.
Our seedsmen now ask SIS per bushel
for the Early Rose and they will un-
doubleday find good market. We all
know how difficult it is to procure pota-
toes early in the summer We would
advise all our readers to raise Early
Rose for their own table. Next year will
greatly reduce their price; but still it
will pay for all of us to raise them for
ourselves. As soon as Jack Frost per-
mits. the mail bags and express cars will
be filled with packages of potatoes, and
the seedsnien will not reap all the har-
vest.