253 
and is remarkably free from insect injuries. At this date (June 13th) 
their buds are forming. 
Judging from present appearances, any of the three varieties would 
prove highly valuable for localities subject to a hot and dry atmosphere. 
The New Mexican potatoes, although not so mealy as the New York 
Peach-blows, white and red, are dry andof goodflavor. Their cultivation 
in the northern States will doubtless modify the structural and chemical 
properties. At present they seem wholly free from the fungus of po- 
tato-rot. In order to test their anti-fungoid properties more fully, sam- 
ples have been forwarded to experienced farmers in the State of Mas- 
sachusetts, and other States, to be planted with other varieties known 
to be very liable to potato-disease. Any practical results derived from 
experiments now in progress will be given in a future article. 
DETERIORATION OF AMERICAN COTTON, 
By THE COMMISSIONER. 
The production, sale, and consumption of cotton are subjects of so 
much interest, that everything pertaining thereto should be well under- 
stood. Planters, as well as merchants and manufacturers, may profit by 
lessons elicited by a comparison of the experiences and observations of 
those engaged in its cultivation, marketing, and manufacture. The 
correspondeuce of this Department with intelligent planters of the 
South made the impression that the quality of cotton offered in our 
markets had greatly deteriorated within the last twelve years, and thus 
induced me to prepare the following circular, requesting cotton-growers 
of the South and manufacturers of the East to furnish the results of their 
observations on the subject: 
To 
Questions of some importance to the country have arisen, which it is desirable should 
be solved by the opinions of manufacturers as well as planters. 1. Has the staple of 
American cotton deteriorated in quality within the last twelve years. If so, (2,) to 
what cause is it attributable ? 
It has been suggested that deterioration is traceable to certain phases of the cotton 
market, which induce planters to study quantity rather than quality ; that dealers do 
net judiciously discriminate between qualities in fixing the price. 
To aid this Department in the investigation of the subject for the benefit of manu- 
facturers and planters, I will be obliged to you for your opinions, predicated upon your 
experience and observation of the subject. 
lam, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 2 
* FREDK. WATTS, 
Commissioner of Agricuiture. 
This circular w&s directed to fifty manufacturers of the Eastern States, 
and to as many planters of the Southern States; and from very many 
of both classes answers were received, satisfactorily showing that while 
the quality of cotton now brought to market is quite inferior in condi- 
tion to what was produced twelve years ago, that condition is attributa- 
ble to causes which do not necessarily enter into the production or sale 
of the commodity. 
It seems to be very clear that the present production is, in a large 
measure, in the hands and under the direction of a less intelligent class 
of planters, who do not appreciate the importance of a judicious selec- 
tion of seed, proper cultivation, and especially a careful preparation for 
the market. Now, while there are other planters, who are intelligently 
