1870.] 



NEW POTATOES. 



187 



eyes small and somewhat pinkish ; skin flesh-coloured or dull pinkish white ; 

 flesh white; cooks well, and is of the best quality for the table. It has proven 

 thus far very hardy, and is said by Mr Bresee to be fully a loeek ' earlier than his 

 famous Early Rose. A very limited quantity of this most recommendable kind 

 was sold in New York last season ; it having been held back for a better stock 

 until this season, but so great was the desire to possess it, that what was sold 

 fetched 50 dollars (10 guineas) per single tuber ! Incredible as this may seem, it 

 is a well-authenticated fact, and will, we believe, quite reconcile our English friends 

 to paying the otherwise great but now comparatively modest sum of 6s. per 

 pound, 7 lb. for 40s. We believe we are the only holders of this Potato in Great 

 Britain." 



This certainly does appear a "great" sum for a pound of Potatoes, but in the 

 days when new Peas are being retailed at 7s. 6d. per half-pint, it must be accepted 

 as a "comparatively modest sum." The purchase of these new Potatoes in the 

 first instance, and the cost, added to the risk of importing them, in the second, no 

 doubt fully justifies such a high price. 



Bresee's Prolific. 



"This variety originated with Albert Bresee, Esq., in 1861. Mr Bresee was 

 the originator of the Early Rose, the seed producing both that and Bresee's 

 Prolific being from the same seed-ball, and both are seedlings of the Garnet Chili. 



"The Vines of Bresee's Prolific are of medium height, quite bushy, and some- 

 what spreading, and with very large leaves ; as yet they have produced no seed- 

 balls. Tubers large, regular in shape, and very smooth, slightly oblong, and 

 very much flattened ; skin dull white, inclined to be russeted ; eyes but little 

 depressed and slightly pinkish ; flesh white, rarely if ever hollow; cooks quickly, 



