95 



with worn-out stocks, and potato growing did not, 

 prove profitable. It was fortunate for many that 

 during the changing circumstances the Magnum Bonum 

 was at the height of its vigour, and in good demand,, 

 for owing to its robust nature it struggled through 

 deficiencies in the way of cultivation, and developed to 

 a crop in spite of them. It might truly be said it 

 proved the novice's friend in those days. But those 

 days have passed. In a few specially favoured 

 districts the soil seems to possess almost magical 

 powers, and good quality is produced in spite of 

 conditions which would prove disastrous on other 

 soils, and climatic conditions admit of exceptionally 

 early maturity; but it is highly important that the 

 variety of potato to be grown should be recognised as 

 being a matter for grave consideration. 



Valuable Points in Varieties. 



The number of varieties now offered for sale is such 

 that without close study and careful testing it is 

 impossible to obtain a thorough intimacy with their 

 characteristics. Appearance is as deceptive in a potato- 

 as in other things. A shapely, well-grown tuber, 

 which makes a grand show in a potato exhibition, may 

 be comparatively worthless, as its cooking properties 

 may be inferior, or the stock from which it came may 

 be exceedingly liable to disease. Perhaps it may be 

 suitable for garden culture, where it receives exceptional 

 attention, but may prove utterly worthless for field cul- 

 ture, where less care is bestowed. It may be from a 



