Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-01-16

many new ana Valuable Varlebles OF tnab ln-
dispensibe tuber, and has so spread the
knowledge of them, and of their superior
qualities, that there is hardly farmer in
the land who is not to-day richer man on
account Of IT, We have ourself invested IN
nearly every new variety that has appeared,
and although many OF them have been laid
aside, there was hardly one that had not
some decided merits, and the opportunity of
trying, testing aud choosing from among
them the kinds that suited us best has been
worth much moro than the cost Of the seed.
But nearly all the new potatoes that have
been introduced have been the product Of
chance planting Of the ball-seed. In hardly
an instance has any premeditated set Of ex-
periments been carried out with the definite
purpose Of combining the various desirable
qualities Of the potato That this might be
done by crossing the better sorts, through
the process known as cross-fertilization, or
hybridising, has been believed by many, but
few have had the requisite skill patience
aud judgment to carry out the plan to a
triumphant success
Last June, while we we're on flying trip
through the Ohamplain Valley, we visited
the home Of our wel-known correspondent
and contributor, g. c. Pringle, Esq, Of
Charlotte and were there greatly interested
in seeing the care and skill with which he
was following up series of arduous expert
ments in hybridizing and crossing various
species and varieties of fruits, grains and
culinary vegetables. The apple, the pear,
the cherry, the grape wheat, rye, barley
and oats tomatoes, potatoes, ETC., etc, were
undergoing the process Of careful and scien.
tifc improvement at his hands. Few have
any idea of the vast labor and care involved
in such course Of experiment, extending
over years of time, and only promising re.
suits at the end aud these Of an uncertain
character
At the time OF our visit Mr. Pringle had,
We believe, made no effort to realize any Pc
cuniary results from his work iu this direc.
ton, though he had already produced much
that was decidedly meritorious Among his
successes was an early tomato, cross be-
tween the "Keyes" and the "Gen. Grant"
which we have tested for two seasons, and
find to be very much earlier than either
parent. 1t is the only tomato that we have
ever planted in Vermont that has ripened its
whole crop and died before frost. In size,
this tomato is about the same as the Reyes,
and in quality not inferior to any. Mr..
Pringe has also some excellent new cross.
bred and hybridized grapes that we believe
are destined in due time to make a sensation /;
and we have no doubt that his very extern
sive series Of hybrid crosses between the
common and Siberian apples will give us
many new and excellent results, especially
in hardy fruit, suited to northern localities.
But we began this article for the purpose
of calling the attention of our readers to Mr..
Pringes first advent before the public as a
candidate for favor among "potato invent
ors." After producing very large number
Of new kinds, he has at last satisfied his
own most exacting ideas of what constitutes
6rst.class potato, and we are happy to be
able to chronicle the fact that he has made
arrangements with the well-known seed deal
ers Of New York, Messrs B. X Bliss K
Sons, to introduce his new potato, cross be-
tween the Excelsior aud the Early Rose,
called "Pringles Snow Flake" 1t will be
offered for sale, in limited quantity, the CON-
ing spring, at the rate OF SO u pound.
Many think such price an exhorbitant
charge for 50 easily grown vegetable as the
potato This may be so, in the many cases
where the possession of new variety is a
mere matter of chance, or good luck. But
it is not so in this case. The seed potato of.
fered US by Mr.. Pringle is the result Of years
of patient and faithful labor and the best
possible returns he can get out Of it will mol
overpay him for that labor. As soon as t
new variety of this or any other plant passes
out of the hands Of its producer hundreds en-
gage in growing it in competition with him
and his reward must mostly be reaped dur
ing the first season, il at all.
As to the quality Of this potato, having
seen it growing 10 the field last season, anc
having recently examined it, and submitted
it TO the test Of the table, we are prepared
to say land we claim to be potato expert
if not potato "organ,' as our friend of tn
Woodstock Post styles u.s. that it very ia
exceeds the Early Rose, or any other of tn
many new seedlings, in every point whic
makes potato valuable for the table, or TO
market We will not here undertake t.
describe it particularly, as we have not
specimen at hand, but will simply say tina
it is q white potato, Of about the averag
size and somewhat the shape of the Earl
Rose, but smoother, more regular and uni
form in shape, with few eyes, and these al
most perfectly flush with the surface Of tn
tuber. 1t is little later than the Rose,
much better cropper, not as yet subject t
rot, and in quality for the table emphaticall
best. The flesh is fine, white and clos
grained, very mealy when cooked, and of
rich sweet, nutty favor, which is at ono
recognized as great advance on the rattle
insipid character Of the Rose. We give
as our unqualified opinion that this new car
didate for favor is decidedly the most perfeC
potato in every respect, that has yet bee
made known. As but few bushels can
offered the present year, we advise those (
on, raadars ,yhn Ias;.a 10 ;nyask on Nj