Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
Three Good Potatoes.

Mr.. II. p. Closson, of Thetford, sent us
last spring pound of new variety of po-
tato raised by him from Mr.. Pringe's by
bridized seed Mr.. Closson desired that we
should test these potatoes and give our judg-
ment upon them, which is that they are an
excellent variety. The product from the
pound, cut to single eyes and with no extra
care, was about one bushel. The vines are
very strong in growth, the row covering four
feet in width, and keep green and growing
long after the Early Rose, Snowflake and
other early sorts near by were ripe and the
tops dead. This potato is also late in set
ting and late in ripening and seems very
little affected by rust. In shape they are
somewhat like Snowflake, but longer and
more approaching a cylindrical form. We
think, however, that we dug them before
they were fully ripe, or had finished their
growth, and it may be that they would have
"fatted up" some if they had been left to
the last of September, instead of being dug
several weeks earlier, when the vines were
almost in full growth. This potato is called
by Mr.. Closson the Orange County White.
Another pound was sent to us for trial by
james X. Tobey, Esq, of Calais. This very
closely resembles the Snowflake in appear.
ance and quality, but is slightly coarser in
flesh and much stronger in growth, though
about as early. We should consider it a
very desirable variety, and none the less SC
for its resemblance to a sort likely TO be
very popular as a market potato. Some
have objected to the Early Verrn ont that il
looks like the Early Rose, but in our judg
ment this resemblance is one of its great
merits A trade name once established
for a potato in market, it becomes difficult
to introduce new and different sort, ever
though it may be better Long after the
original jackson White ceased to be much
grown, the Orono, and other seedlings re
sembling the jackson, were, and they still
are, sold in the Boston market under that
name. The Early Rose has now SINH
lar prestige as trade name, and any potato
that can be sold for Early Rose is worth
more on that account. Mr.. b. X. Bliss, o.
New York, who introduced both the Earl,
Rose and the Early Vermont, was so vexec
by the charge brought against him of re
issuing the Rose under new name, that h
declared he would never offer any new varet,
again that resembled an old one. But in
this We think he made mistake.
II, as now seems probable, the Snowflake
is to become a popular market potato, Mr.
Tobey's new variety can be easily shippe,
and sold under the same name, and it ma,
be that it will prove healthier and NOR
productive sort, in which case it would b.
likely to gradually replace it, as the Oron,
did the jackson, and as the Early Vernon
is replacing the Early Rose.
The third variety sent us was from Dl
II. A. Cutting, of Lunenburgh, our stat
geologst. This is an uneven or deep.eye
sort, but very early, of very fine quality
very productive and apparently healthy. Il
these days, when cooks insist upon havin
smooth potatoes this variety may not sui
the market but it is well worth CROWN
for home use. We found il TO be quite a
carly and good as Mr.. Pringle's Alpha, Will
being much more vigorous and productive.