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

ABOUT PoTAToEs-The following notes on
potatoes, as discussed by members Of the Massa-
chusetts Horticultural Society," are from its trans
actions for 1881:
Mr. Leander Wetheren related an anecdote
of a root grower, who, when farmer brought
him an enormous mangel-wurzel, said it was
very good way to raise wood. Such overgrown
beets and turnips are coarse, and crops when the
quantity is less to the acre possess more feeding
properties, as has been proved by chemical analy-
sis 1t is the same with the sugar beet whether
grown for food or for sugar. The most profitable
potato, and the one that sells the best, is the
Early Rose. The market price last year and
this was from five to ten cents per bushel higher
than that of any other variety The Snowflake
is better for baking, but not so good for boiling
and it is not SO productive. The best quality is
always in demand The Early Rose grown in
Canada is not as good as when grown near Bos-
ton, but those raised at Houlton Maine are
better. This variety is often grown too large
when it becomes coarse. Quality is not enough
studied by vegetable growers
Mr.. Wilder said that the Early Bose is the
only potato used in his family 1t is both early
ana late. 1n6Te may OGucIS DIS SOOO
Mr.. Wetherell said that Bresee's Prolific is of
better quality than the Peerless but not so pro-
ductive The Prolific grown at Houlton is better
than anywhere else. The Early Rose is the most
productive Of all
"Mr. John B. Moore had found the Early Yer
mont more prolific than the Early Rose and ii
is said to be fifteen minutes earlier 1t is seed
ling from the Early Rose and he prefers it to its
parent, because the vine is stronger For mar
ket he wants the largest potatoes he can get, be-
cause they bring more; but for his own eating
he chooses those of medium size. The Snowflake.
and some Others are of better quality than the
Early Rose. In June, he prefers the Mammoth
Pearl, a variety which originated in Ohio; it is
very productive, has remarkable keeping quail
tiles, and is very white when cooked. He grows
fewer small potatoes than his neighbors: thew
are worth little more than the cost of picking ND
If whole potatoes planted they produce too
many vines and there will be many small pota-
toes and only one or two strong, vigorous ones
He cuts up good, strong potatoes into pieces with
two eyes each. He has seen splendid crops from
small potatoes, but on general principles would
not recommend planting them. Potatoes are
smoother from not overseeing.
half field with medium-sized potatoes, and the
other with small ones; the yield of the former
was more than double that of the latter.
Mr.. w. C. Strong spoke of experiments in
producing a stock Of the Early Vermont potatoes
from green cuttings, and said that the tubers
produced were large as those grown in any
other way. The cuttings made like verbena
OF fuchsia cuttings.
Mr. Aaron D. Capon said that twenty
years ago he was advised to cut off the seed end
Oh potatoes and feed to the COWS, and plant the
otner END and he had found that by following
TINS advice and cutting the potato SO as to have
only one OF two eyes on piece, his crop was
more uniform in size and of better quality. and
he was not troubled with so many little sprouts
and small potatoes
MI. Moore said that many experiments had
been tried in planting the seed end middle. and