452 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



Emperor parent, but does not run out like that variety. This seedling was both 

 handsome and prolific. Next was a pink round, much the colour of the Ameri- 

 can Rose. It was rough in skin, early, and handsome, and is named English 

 Rose. This is a very promising kind also. A white round, with purple-blotched 

 eyes, very handsome and promising, is next approved ; and so is a peculiarly 

 good-looking, rough-skinned red kidney, out of the same batch, that we dubbed 

 Fenn's bountiful, for it is a good cropper and a real beauty. The last selected 

 of this breed is a strong-growing white round, having pink eyes, which is very 

 handsome, and will make a superb exhibition variety. One more seedling was 

 from a cross between Shutford seedling and Hogg's Coldstream. This was a fine 

 white round that will by-and-by take a prominent place as a fine early. I think 

 this is the one we dubbed, in a gallant spirit, Eliza Fenn, after Mr Fenn's kind 

 and hospitable better-half. Mr Fenn grows altogether a large collection, having 

 nearly all the best-known sorts that are in the market, and many of these also 

 were looked over, but notes of them may well be left until some other time, when 

 I may also embody with them mention of the results of my own trials. I must, 

 however, not omit to bear witness to the great care and patient attention that Mr 

 Fenn bestows upon the culture of his favourite esculent, as also upon the still 

 more difficult duty of selection. A high appreciation of beauty in shape and out- 

 line rules his judgment ; and so much did the handsome and almost perfect form 

 of many of his new seedlings impress me, that when the next day, on passing 

 through Reading, I looked in upon the show then being held, I became so 

 shocked with a sight of many of the big, coarse, ugly Potato monstrosities there 

 staged, as to have suffered for some time afterwards from Potato nightmare. I 

 exhort people who will show Potatoes, in the future to have some regard for the 

 outraged sensibilities of Potato critics. 



Years ago, long before Moules's system of earth-closets had been unearthed, 

 Mr Fenn put the system into operation at Woodstock. I saw his modus 

 operandi, and can vouch for its simplicity, originality, and effectiveness. 

 This is the source from which is obtained the manure that has for some years 

 grown the Woodstock Potato, and capital stuff it is. The best time for its appli- 

 cation is early in the winter, and then it becomes thoroughly incorporated with 

 the soil. It, moreover, keeps the soil light and porous, and is altogether exempt 

 from most of those objections that apply to other strong manures when used for 

 potato-culture. 



Mr Fenn has three specialties, in each of which he is well posted — viz., Pota- 

 tatoes, Bees, and British Wine-making. Of the first I have written; of the second, 

 I can only say that his hives are of the best design, full of busy bees, and that his 

 honey is delicious ; and of the third — well, readers should see and taste for them- 

 selves who can. The fine old rectory-house has its entire front enveloped with 

 Grape Vines that are bearing, goodness only knows how many bunches ; but we 

 saw that on one chimney only there must have been, at least, half a hundred- 

 weight of fruit ; and then there is a large portion of garden-wall also covered 

 with Vines, and from the entire produce I suppose will soon be brewed wine 

 enough to fill the large cellars under the rectory-house. 



Some day or other, perhaps, the Potatoes, Bees, and Wines will make a noise, 

 for Mr Fenn has a right to look forward for the fruits of his labours. May the 

 kind geniality of disposition that so strongly permeates the character of ov.v 

 Woodstock friend always be his ! and when once more he shall shoulder the fork 

 and go forth to his annual Potato harvest, may I be there to see ! 



SoUTHPwON. 



