42 WISCONSIN agriculture:. 



Of Seed Corn there was a large collection, all well ripened. 

 The White Dent was considered the best. It should be planted 

 early, and succeeds best in a rich, light, sandy soil. In rather 

 stiff clay, or clay loam, the Button appears to do the best ; while 

 in low bottom land or marsh the Early Yellow Canada is pref- 

 erable. 



As a general thing, too little attention is paid to the adapta- 

 tion of varieties to the soil. Thus a variety that requires a long 

 time for maturing, will not answer well on marsh or low bottom 

 land; while on up-lands they are more profitable than earlier 

 varieties. 



The exhibition of Potatoes by Mr. A. G. Hanford was espe- 

 cially worthy of commendation. The lot comprised thirteen 

 proper varieties, and several seedlings. Among the rest, I 

 would mention, as most worthy of notice. Hall's June, Early 

 Manly, and the Ash Kidney, for early use, to be succeeded by 

 Carter's Mammoth, Pink-eye, White Mercer and Mexican ; for 

 late Winter and Spring use, the Purple Chili, Black Pink-eye, 

 and Penfield appear to be the best. For keeping a long time 

 the Yam is particularly valuable, retaining its good qualities, or 

 rather developing them, late in the Spring. 



The Committee were particularly pleased with the Mexican 

 Wild Potato, to which the premium for the best peck was award- 

 ed. On the whole we regret that no further award was contem- 

 plated for this most valuable esculent — such an one as would 

 include a collection of varieties, as well as the superior quality 

 of a single peck. 



Parsnips seem to have been cultivated rather scantily in this 

 part of the country, doubtless for the reason that they are not so 

 desiiable as some others for cattle, nor indeed much admired for 

 table use. Muskrats love them however, and to them we cheer- 

 fully consign the whole lot. 



The Tomatoes were fine. The apple and pear-shaped the 

 best. The Husk Tomato is also excellent for preserves, and the 

 committee recommend a more extensive cultivation of the good 

 varieties generally. 



The Sweet Potatoes on exhibition were the largest and finest 

 the committee have ever seen. Wisconsin soil appears to be 



