450 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



obtained fifty pounds, and they are all sound and fit for the table 

 now. They are of even size, not over-large nor very small. 



Mr. Emery, of Bangor. As I stated this morning, I planted 

 three " Early Rose" potatoes, and raised two bushels. They were 

 planted about the first of June, and harvested the third of Septem- 

 ber, entirely ripe. There was no appearance of rot then. They 

 were immediately put into a barrel, in the cellar. I saw them last 

 a fortnight ago to-day. I did not turn them out, but there was no 

 appearance of rot on the surface. A few of the Early Rose were 

 planted later, and not dug until after the rains and excessive heat, 

 and these showed signs of rot when dug. 



Mr. CoMiNS. Excessively hot weather induces rot, whether 

 they are dug or not ; that is, if they are dug and put into cellars, 

 and not protected from the heat. If they lie in a pile they will 

 heat, and that induces the rot. 



J. P. Putnam, of Iloulton. I would like to inquire of Mr. Comins 

 if he has ever covered his potatoes with dry sand to keep them 

 :irom rotting ? 



Mr. Comins. I never have. I have sprinkled air-slacked lime 

 jfeeiween them, but I have never tried dry sand. 



Mr. Putnam. When I put my beets, carrots, turnips, and pota- 

 toes in the cellar in the fall, for table use, I put them in barrels, 

 and fill the barrels with dry sand. I kept turnips this fall, into 

 September, and they were so handsome that when I carried some 

 to the hotel they thought 1 had just dug them. 



Secretary Goodale. There was a potato exhibited at the last 

 session of the Board at Augusta, which excited considerable atten- 

 tion, called the " General Grant." I had a few, and planted them 

 side. by side with the "Early Rose," with the same soil, manure, 

 and treatment, as nearly as possible. I could detect no difierencc 

 in. the carliness between that and the " Early Rose," although they 

 were very difl'erent in appearance. I could hardly toll which to 

 choose for quality ; they were both first rate. I see what I sup- 

 pose to be the same potato on the table, under difl'erent names. 

 Some have it marked " Early," some without a name ; others have 

 it " Vermont Early." I have seen no one who has raised it who 

 does not speak in the highest terms of its quality ; and I would be 

 glad to know what is its true history and proper name, and any- 

 thing else- of interest connected with it. 



Mr. GoMiNS. It has been cultivated in my vicinity for seven or 

 eight years. A brother of mine brought it from Vermont, because 



