Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-04-12

variety extending to about twenty
years. a witness who was examined
in 1880 before committee of the house
ot commons on the question OF potato
growth gave ii rs his opinion that q
variety, after bong in Use for about
twenty years. usually begins TO show
signs of weakness, and at last It's cul-
tivation is entirely neglected. 1t is
some years now since Paterson. the
p,tato-makcr." of Dundee, died. He
was 'thc author" as We may put il,
of some well-knOwn varieties, such as
"Pdterson's Purple the "Nictoria, -
and one or tive more that in their time
were tavOrites with many cultiVatOrs.
We have still among us men who can
bring out new hhdS, and we have now
/ before us an account of the "evOlu-
! tom of the celebrated "Champion"
variety of the potato which was pro-
duced by Mr.. John Nichol, ut Ochtcr-
lony, his experiments having been
commenced in 1862. The moduS oper-
andi of what has been called "potato-
making consists, according to this
gentleman : own showing. of selecting
/ the best plums from EXISTING varieties
and obtaining from the seed thus Sc.
lected Il large number of seedlings and
/ preserving the best of these to work
upon. II selected, says Mr.. Nichol.
1.-THE best. setting aside great number
of sorts that appeared at that time
worthless, and Keeping The best and
most promising rs to appearances; not
altogether the prettiest of the lot, for
| rather think that some of the most
beautiful potatoes at first sight do not
turn out the most profitable afterward
think rough looking potato at first
sight Is more likely to produce n plant
with n >trong constitution than Il
smooth one Mr. Nichol tells us that
he started with large selection of
seed. and carefully selecting year by
year, the best rt OTIS which were pro-
duced, in about five or six seasons the
new variety is fixed ard can be pro-
claimed, but lit is well to bear in mind
the fact that you can not be sure, in
the case of taking n plum from It plot
of potatoes, what is the source from
; whence the pollen comes which pro
duces the variety"
On this material point of potato cul-
ture an expert gives the following
; directions: Having selected tn,
varieties to be crossed, the seed.
bearing parent first requires attention
As soon as the plant shows its flower
buds, they should all be removed
except those which are TO be mprrg.
, mated, and when the flowers open the
stamens should be removed with pain
/ of sharp scissors. taking care not tC
+ iuiurc the pjStil The truss of bloom
+ shCuId he tied to a stake. and covered
- over with piece of gauze, 80 prcveu
$ premature fertilization hy inScc
- agency. In about two days aftcy tin,
= flowers have opened, if the weather b,
g favorable, they will he in fit state fo
p imprrgnation. A flower should thcl
+ the father of the future seedlings. anl
= the pollen from It's authers careful
g applied to the pi>til of the plant tha
"a i to be the mother, or seed -beurin.
=. parent The operation should be per
a formed in fine weather, and. unless til,
g operator is well acquainted with th
i process, it should he repeated the mex
4 day to insure satisfactory results. A
T., soon rs fertilization has taken place
u which will probably be within a few
c hours after the pollen has been ap
: piled. the netting and stake may b
q removed. MI. Nichol is quite of tn
G. opinion of those experts who think tha
a each particular kind of potato has it
e day, aud that in twenty years it be
y comes exhausted. The "Nicloria" j
now out of use in many districts vher
p at one time it wa, a GREAT tayoritc
\ An exchange eays that the mik-mcn
4 many cities milk their COW, a. three o'c'oc