The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-11-09
farm amo 6aroen.
Address all Inquiries communications I'm relation
90 agriculture 10 DIR. T. II. HosKIss, Newport Vt.
OUR readers know that we think very


highly of ministers of the gospel who
are also good farmers, and amongst
these one of the best in the state is
the Rev. L. j. Ranslow of Swanton,
VI. He is a sound man all around,
and can give reason for the faith that
is in him, theological or agricultural.
He makes quite specially of growing
seed potatoes, and tests all the leading
novelties. The past season-though
one of the worst for potatoes ever
known in western New England-Mr.
Ranslow has grown thirty-eight varie-
ties, and harvested sos bushels, mostly
on two and one-half acres. We wish
we knew exactly what mostly " means
in this statement, because such good
success ought to have an exact record.
Mr.. RANsLow sends his report to
Brother Towle's department of the ST.
Adams Messenger. In it he says; OF
late kinds, find the " Munroe County
Prize" leads all others in yield and
size. For some reason many hills did
not come up and l expected a partial
failure, yet, "the woods were full of
them" Nearly all were large enough
to ship. 1t is handsome, long, white
potato. Quality good. Next comes
the Rural New Yorker" This is a
white oval potato 1t is smooth and
handsome as dollar. 1t grows large,
with very few small ones. The yield
is very large and the quality good
Next l put the "Harbinger." 1t is
new, and after three years trial 1 can
say if is the nearest scab proof of any
kind l ever saw Under the most try
ing circumstances it is with me as
smooth as glass. On these three kinds
/ expect to make a "run" another
year. Besides these l may say that
"Burpee's SUPERIOR" Pride Of the
West" " Belle" "Queen of the Val
ley" are all grand varieties. For dry
sand the " Belle" and "Queen of the
Valley" are very fine, though some
complain that the "Queen" grows
hollow. -
COMING to the medium early pota-
toes, which many farmers, in our neigh
borhood at least, prefer for the main
crop, Mr.. r. reports thus: For a
medium early potato the New
Queen" is hard to beat. 1t is white,
with blush, grows large and is num-
Der one in every way. The "Early
Puritan" comes next, and next to that
is the Polaris." For early potatoes
/ find "Mrs. Cleveland " one of the
best yielders and excellent in quality
l shall put in more of them another
year. 1t is of the Rose type. The
g Early Sunrise "and " Pearl of Savoy"
are also first rate. bliss Triumph "
is as nearly rot proof as any tuber 1
ever saw. Quality fair. The Minis
ter" is highly praised by some, but
after several years trial l think this
Minister" ought to be deposed
- Howe's Premium will get ripe
sooner than any potato l ever raised,
but it has this objection, that wire
worms will get into it when all other
kinds, on either side, are absolutely
free. 1t was painful to see the poor
worms, grip-sack in hand, inching
along like poor inch worm" from the
neighbors' farms just to get bite at
my Howes. The early "Ohio " is first
rate in size and quality l have the ped
igree Hebron (Which is very different
from the common sort. They are al
most pure white and of the best quail
ity. The pedigree "Snow Flake " did
we'll. In fact, considering that it is a
shyer yielder, it did better than almost
any other kind in proportion.