Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1875-04-15
Experiences With New Varieties
of Potatoes.

I -SA@O WAbS AAOAA SAS OOAAkA5 J
Gentlemen, will prove of great inter
est TO potato growers everywhere.
That the potato, when propagated
year after year by planting tubes in
the usual manner, is naturally inclin-
ed to deteriorate, scarcely admits a
perience in raising this crop we'll
knows. Thus varieties which were
fully up to the standard of excellence
twenty years ago, have now become
almost entirely extinct, having been
planted and replanted until they have
completely run OUT the degeneration
being not only in yield, but in quail
ty also. Indeed, believe that of late
years this tendency toward degenera-
ton is greatly on the increase, for
while some of the best varieties of
years gone by, as for example the old
white Pinkeye, Prince Albert, and
others, held their own for years, many
excellent varieties of recent introduc-
ton have had a comparatively short
life, Perhaps his is partly due to the
fact that more attention is now given
to originating and Introducing new
varieties than formerly, hence they
sooner have to give way, as some.
thing comes up to take their place
But even Ithe famous Early Rose
potato, which l first introduced
into this section when worth So per
pound, and found it a good invest
ment at that, is not by any means what
it then was nor is this wholly because
the Extra Early Vermont, or anv 9th.
er early potatoe, has sprung up and
crowded it out, but it is becoming su-
perannuated. So we must accept itas
inevitable that potatoes will degener-
ate, for there is no known remedy, and
all We can do is to give up raising a
variety as soon. as it becomes unprof-
table, and get in its place new va
riety, or some more recently raised
from the seed ball.
| Yet this is not all that is necessary.
Seeding potatoes are in one respect
like Seeding apples, or other fruits.
Probably not one per cent, of the
number of chance seedlings started
are worth raising at all. Occasionally,
however, one comes to light which
has real merit, and these are the ones
that become generally introduced and
everywhere known. If a potato has
not merit of its own, no amount of
advertising will cause it to become
generally known. 1t can not stand
upon q false bottom like a house
without a foundation, or man with
out character it soon must fall.
have made it a practice for several
years to try every new variety of
promise as soon as offered, land though
many for which have paid extraYi
CANT prices have proved sadly want
ing, occasionally get hold Of some
thing which more than makes up the
deficiency. Last season raised six
teen varieties, twelve of them for the
first time, and all comparatively new,
from which | make the following
notes:
Late Rose.-Under this name two
varieties were given to the public
/ three or four years ago. One called
I Campbell's- Late Rose, is Seeding,
originating in Ohio. It has gained
considerable prominence in the West
ern States, but does not do well with
US. The other, called Thornburn's
Late Rose, is sport of the Early
Rose in fact it is only later edition
of that popular variety, from which
it can scarcely be distinguished except
by being few days later.
Extra Early Vermont.-This is an
other potato which bears a striking
resemblance to the Early Rose. I
think it better simply because it is
newer. 1t is no improvement on the
Rose, as that variety was five years
ago.
Compton's Surprise is in-
deed a peculiar production. Under
very favorable circumstances it is a
vigorous grower and an enormous
cropper,. but having now raised it two
years, predict for it comparatively
short life. It seems to do remarkably
well in some instances and remarkable
i'll in others. It is very late with me,
although recommended as being but
few days later than the Early Rose.
Sidney Rlue.-This came to me last
spring from Australia, via Washington
! Territory. In coler tit resembles the
) much lauded Compton, which it fal
surpassed in yield and quality with me
last season. Its form is more round
and presents q much smoother appear.
ance than the Compton.
Carpten1s Seedling.-This is very
; long, smooth, rose. colored potato
sent out last Spring from Orange
county, N. Y. 1 failed te discover
anything extraordinary about it, bu
my trial was rather unfavorable, as
failed entirely in getting crop O
e Early Rose, planted in the same fielc
e with it, therefore report it worthy Of
9 further trial.
r Red Jacket.-This is a smooth, rec
a potato received from the originator II
It Western New York. 1t is handsome
T in appearance, yields well, and is gooC
d when baked. I think it possesses
n good qualities enough to enable it t.
: make its way in the world, if some
i thing infinitely better docs not spring
: up and crowd it too hard. Well wortl
e a trial.
n Ice Cream--is the name given to
r handsome, smooth, white potato
e which has not, as yet, been very gen
a orally ditfused. Its yielding qualitie
J. were fair with me, though not by an,
e means extraordinary. Its cookin
If qualities l pronounce No. l. Fles
e very white, dry and remarkably fin
e grained. Old people, who tasted il
d say it equals the old Pinkeye in it
o best days. To those who wish to rails
Of first class potato for their own tabl
q hiohIv ran0mmnu,7 fhia