166. ANNUAL REPORT. 
Messrs: Russell and Theopold have purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of marsh bordering on French Lake, of which eighty 
are well situated for cranberry cultivation, being already largely: 
covered with the vines. 
O. F. Brass 
» a 
CULTURE AND VARIETIES OF THE POTATO. 
Mr. President: 
The culture and varieties of the potato is one that much interests 
me. Of all the vegetables in use the potato should stand at the 
head of the list. It is food for both man and beast, and has, I 
think, been grown nearly to perfection. Now, as to the varieties, 
the Early Rose and Peach Blow seem to be the leading varieties. 
The Early Rose has been to my knowledge, the most popular early 
variety, and is, if poperly kept, a good winter potato when grown 
on new land and planted early. I think very much depends upon 
their being planted early that they may get our June rains, about 
the time of forming sets, and they continue to grow right along 
until fully ripe. Whilst late planted ones are quite likely to be 
checked by the dry hot weather, and scarcely ever mature or give 
a good crop. I saw an article in the Prairie Farmer of December 
11th, where R. P. Reed had raised one hundred and _ fifty bushels 
from one bushel of the Snowflakes, this is ahead of any yield which ~ 
I ever obtained from any variety. I would inquire whether any of 
our members of this Society have tested or know the quality of . 
the Snowflakes. Mr. Reed says they are dry and of rich flavor, and 
yielded three times as much as the Rose and ripened at the same 
time. The Early Vermont and Compton’s Surprise are gaining in 
flavor. In planting and cultivating to obtain the greatest yield 
from a given amount of seed cut to single eyes, plant in rows, two 
and one half feet apart, the pieces eight to twelve inches apart, 
one in a place. Plant shallow so the ground will be level after 
they are covered, and as the ‘potatoes begin. to burst through 
the ground give them a good harrowing with a light harrow. 
When the tops are three or four inches high give them a good 
cultivating, and in a week or two go through between the rows with 
a good horse hoe with double mould boards, which slides the earth 
under and amongst the vines so completely that no hoeing is re- 
quired to finish the crop. They should be dug as soon as they are 
ripe, and before the fall rains. By turning a light furrow away from 
each side of the row with a small plow the potatoes are easily 
thrown out over the ground with a good spading fork, they should 
be allowed to dry ‘a few hours before gathering, and should then be 
pitted out so no sun nor rain cap reach them and so remain as long 
as safe from frosts. When housed they should be kept from light 
and air as much as possible. 
W. E. Brmaati. 
