HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING, 139 



name of Verjus. These examples present contrary results. Thus, while 

 Precoce Malingre has long oval fruits, scattered, and the bud-variety which 

 appeared upon it had round fruits borne close together and larger thau those 

 of the type, the Verjus has slightly oblong or nearly spherical fruits and the 

 bud-variety which was developed upon it had fruits long-oval and attenuated 

 at both ends, and somewhat later than those of the type. 



" The Ghasselas gros Goulard is a bud-variety which appears frequently 

 upon the ordinary Chasselas. Its fruits are large and spherical. They of ten 

 drop. It differs especially from the Chasselas by its stronger shoots with 

 joints much closer together, and by its leaves being less lobed, a little longer 

 and thicker, of a glossy green as if varnished. It differs also from the ordi- 

 nary Chasselas in its temperament. It needs much heat and also shelter 

 from the influence of the air. It generally succeeds well in forced 

 culture. 



'- The Chasselas cle Demoiselles, remarkable for its fruits which are scarcely 

 larger than shot, is a bud-variety from the ordinary Chasselas. This phe- 

 nomenon appears to be due to the partial abortion of the sexual organs and 

 particularly of the anthers, whence results the lack of impregnation of the 

 flowers and the consequent abortion of seeds. Propagated by cuttings, it pre- 

 serves its characters. A variety with variegated leaves has appeared from the 

 ordinary Chasselas." 



For further notes upon bud-variations the reader is referred to the follow- 

 ing notes upon potatoes. 



^. Brief potato notes. — Several new varieties of potatoes have been 

 grown in the College garden. Brief notes respecting a few unnamed sorts are 

 here appended. 



In the spring of 1886 the Department received from the National Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture a packet of potato seeds labeled " Pringle's Hybridized 

 Potato Seed." We wrote Mr. Pringle as to the history of this seed, and had 

 reply to the effect that the seed was not the result of hybridization* but of 

 crossing " amongst several of our best varieties of potatoes." The seed was 

 sowed, and three or four bushels of tubers were raised the first year. These 

 tubers were very variable in size, shape and color, but they fell readily under 

 six general divisions : 



1. Long, red. 



2. Round, red. 



3. Long, dark purple. 



4. Round, dark purple. 



5. Long finger-shaped, white. 



6. Round, white. 



Separated in this manner, the tubers were planted this year. The crop of 

 each appeared to follow the parent tubers very closely. All yielded well, but 

 the tubers were very small, owing, no doubt, to the drouth. No. 6 is larger 

 than the other sorts, and resembles the old Peach-blow. 



The Mexican or Central American potato has been grown at the College 

 for about ten years. Dr. W. J. Beal received the tubers, the largest about 

 an inch in diameter, from Harvard University. They increased steadily in 

 size, some three years ago the best tubers measuring three inches in diam- 

 eter the longest way. This potato is apparently a wild form of the com- 



* A hybrid springs from the union of two distinct species, while a cross springs from the union of 

 varieties of the one species. 



