THE POTATO. Cl 



knowleclged as the best of all va- 

 rieties. As a Potato for early plant- 

 ing, whether for family use or for 

 the market, it was a general favor- 

 ite ; but, within a few years past, 

 it has not only greatly deteriorated Mercer Potato. 



in quality and productiveness, but has been peculiarly liable 

 to disease and premature decay of the plants. 



When well grown, the tubers are of good size, rather long, 

 a little flattened, and comparatively smooth ; eyes slightly 

 sunk ; color white, with blotches of purple, before cooking, 

 somewhat purple under the skin ; flesh, when cooked, often 

 stained with pale purple ; in its crude state, zoned with 

 bright purple. Quality good ; dry, mealy, and Avell fla- 

 vored. 



It originated in Mercer county, New York, whence the 

 name. Mr. Paschal Morris, of Philadelphia, states that it 

 went west, taking the name of Meshannock, from the name 

 of the stream, in Mercer County, along which it originated. 

 In Canada, the Provinces, and throughout most of New 

 England, it is known as the Chenango, or White Chenango. 



A handsome white variety, long and smooth, Mexican, 

 like the St. Helena, but not quite so large ; eyes very slightly 

 depressed. It is of poor quality, quite unproductive, rots 

 badly, and not worthy of cultivation. 



This old variety at one period w r as very ex- Nova-Scotia 

 tensively cultivated, and for many years was con- 

 sidered the most profitable of all the sorts for raising for 

 market or for family use. 



Form nearly round, the larger specimens often somewhat 

 flattened ; color light blue ; eyes moderately depressed ; 

 flesh white, dry, and good. It yields abundantly ; but, in 

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