The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-02-18

"Mr. Wood expressed the opinion that the
Early Rose and Early Vermont potatoes are the
same. Mr.. Moore said there is little difference
in the height of the tops, but quite difference
in productiveness. He cannot tell them apart In
the barrel, and the quality is the same. There
are more Early Vermont potatoes sold in Boston
market for Early Rose, than there are of the true
variety.
"Mr. Wetherell said that the farmer who plants
potatoes whole is most certain of good crops.
Mr. Moore said that he had been growing po-
tatoes all his life, and would not let man plant
whole potatoes on his ground if he would give
him the seed; he would have two eyes on a seed.
Mr. Wetherell said that he had good farm,
and would not allow man to cut potato to
plant. These discordant opinions can only arise
from our failure to take note of all the conditions
under which our crops grow.
"Mr. Hunt agreed with Mr. Moore in regard to
cutting potatoes rather than planting whole, and
thought the former was the general practice He
thought that the young sprout gets a certain
amount of nourishment from the piece of potato
to start it, In his experience the Beauty of Heb
ron is more productive and of better quality than
the Early Rose"
PLANTING CoRN-The time-sanctioned meth
Cd of planting corn in hills about three and a
half feet apart, and allowing from three to four
plants to stand on each hill is being abandoned
by many farmers and instead, the corn is planted
in drills which are at least four feet apart and
wider, if the soil is rich and the corn large
growing kind. The plants are thinned so as to
stand from ten to twelve inches apart in the row,
and by this mode it is claimed that from ten to
fifteen bushels more per acre can be grown than
by the older plan of hills. When the ground is
in good condition the planting machine will de-
liver the grains at uniform distances, and at a
great saving as compared to planting by hand.
Some farmers object to the drill system because
it prevents what they consider thorough culture
during the growth of the plant, as it limits the
plough or cultivatOr to one direction only, and
renders hand hoeing necessary between the
plants, but in ordinary clean soil this objection
is more than balanced by increase of crop.
GoosEBERRIEs GRATED ON THE MISSOURI
CURRANT.-At the Centennial Exhibition in
Philadelphia collection of English gooseberries
grated upon tall stems of the Missouri currant
attracted considerable attention from the claim
which was made that they could, in this way, be
grown without danger Of injury from mildew,
which, in ordinary culture, prevents the ripening
of these berries. 1t was stated that this method
was something new, and had been copied from
European nurseries where the practice was at
that time becoming general. However new this
method of grating may have been in Europe at
that time, it was not new in America. At least
thirty years previous to 1876 this method was
adopted by nurseryman at Carlisle, Pa, who
communicated his success to the Horticulturist"
in the year 184s, stating that the plants when
grated on the Missouri currant did well, even in
unfavorable situations. 1t has been confidently
stated that during period of seven years no
mildew had been seen on gooseberries when SO
grated, and it is practice well worthy of imi-
tation by those who are partial to fine varieties
of the large European gooseberries
The Missouri currant RIDES dureum, is a we'll
known denizen of old gardens, where it is highly
esteemed for the delicious fragrance of it's yellow
flowers, which are profusely produced in spring.
APPLES FOR KEEPING.-The following state
ment is taken from the Report of the Pennsyl-
vania Fruit-Growers' Society for 1881:
Pennsylvania has soil and climate as well
adapted to growing apples as any other section
of our large country. We have plenty of very
excellent summer and autumn varieties that do
finely for their season, but for long keeling win
ter varieties far from being well supplied.
Our Smokehouse, Fallawater, Baldwin, Greening.
&C., produce well of perfect fruit. They formerly
kept well in winter and into early spring; they
now mature early, fall from the trees, and when
gathered soon decay. Here is an open field for
some inventive genius to create in some way
low temperature, by mechanical or chemical
means, so that can gather these fine varieties
when mature and place them in low tenn
perature till winter sets in"
Instead of wasting talent in the effort to secure
an artificial climate for the slower ripening of
apples, it would seem much more judcious and |
practicable to experiment with some of the many |
fine varieties of more southern origin, which re-
quire longer season to mature and keep we'll |
until spring or early summer. We append list |
of those which are of known excellent quality |
and possess good keeping properties. The fol-
lowing it is believed are all of southern origin:
.4unt Peggie, North Carolina; Boran, North Caro-
lima; Broadnar, North Carolina; Cu1asoqa, North
Carolina; Disharoon, Georgia; Edacards, North
Carolina; Gladney's Red, Mississippi; Golden
Wilding, North Carolina; Gailford Red, North
Carolina; Gully, North Carolina; Hall, North
Carolina HemphiU North Carolina Mata,nuskeet