Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-21
The Ruby and Alpha Potatoes.

Our friend Mr.. Pringle, of Charlotte, has
won fame on both sides of the Atlantic by
his work in improving, by cross fertilization
and hybridizing various cultivated plants.
His work, which has been silently and zeal
ously followed for considerable number of
years, has been devoted by times to almost
every species of garden or field roots, fruits
of many kinds, wheat aud other grains, as
well as ornamental plants and flowers. The
public is not yet familiar with the results of
his labors in those departments where much
time is necessary element. To hybridize
the apple, the grape, the cherry, or any of
the cereal grains, and test carefully the pro
ducts of these crosses, is the work of long
years, and in some cases even lifetime is
too short for the laborious, difficult and I'M
certain task.
But with few species the results, good
or bad, are realized in comparatively few
seasons; and from experiments upon these
Mr.. Pringle is now reaping some returns of
reputation, and we hope, of profit. His
Snowflake potato and Conqueror tomato
have become very generally known, and
their great merits appreciated More re-
Gently he has brought out two other varieties
of the potato, which he considers to possess
superior merits these are the Ruby and
the Alpha. Of these recent report has
been made by committee composed of that
distinguished botanist, and editor of the
American AgriculuriSt, DIR. Thurber p. T.
Qun, the well known gardener and pomolo-
gist; and Dr. f. NJ. Hexamer, one of the
most extensive farmers and fruit growers OF
New York. This committee has, at the re-
quest of the great seed firm of New York,
b. X. Bliss & Sons, compiled the reports of
number of competitors for certain prizes
offered by the Messrs. Bliss. In these re-
ports the superior qualities of the Alpha
and Ruby potatoes are largely commented
on, and the committee say
"The Alpha has, by many growers, been
declared much the earliest of any seed
lings.' 1t was found to be fit for use in
sixty days from the day of planting of ex-
cellent quality when cooked in any way and
gaining steadily in quality and yield. In
this latter respect the Alpha differs from
most new seedlings. But few improve after
the third year, while many deteriorate rap
idly. The Alpha, when first brought to no.
tice, was below medium size, and so deli
cate that it was thought only suitable for
garden culture. But gradually we found it
increasing in size and productiveness, while
it retains its earliness and excellent quality.
That it will henceforth rank as the earliest
potato for the field as well as the garden,
and that it yields enormous crops, even I'M
der ordinary culture, has been sufficiently
proved by Mr.. Clutes one thousand five
hundred and thirty-fve pounds from one,
grown without any manure whatever.
"The Ruby, although not presenting as
striking characteristics as the Alpha, has
proved to be valuable introduction. 1t is
declared to be number one potato in every
particular. and seems to be especially valued
for its remarkable exemption from rot
Although there was so much rain in some
of the Western states that potatoes gener,
ally failed to grow, and those that grew gen
orally rotted, yet no rotten ones were found
among these, and their quality was excellent
The large yield of the Ruby and its very
handsome appearance, combined with ex.
cellent quality make it valuable market
variety, where red-skinned potatoes are in
demand. In Europe it has likewise sue.
ceeded exceedingly well. Mr.. p. Robertson
of Scotland, says They were pronounced
of excellent quality by every person who
has tried Them"