106 



list of those which possess many points of merit is a 

 "very long one. Of course there are some varieties 

 which stand out more prominently than others, and it 

 may fairly be taken that those varieties which come into 

 highest repute do so on their merits, although there 

 are instances where potatoes possessing highly valuable 

 properties fail to attract the attention they deserve, 

 'because their colour or shape is not in accordance 

 with the popular taste at the time of their introduction. 

 Some varieties which are excellent in all their points 

 at the time of their introduction deteriorate with such 

 rapidity that in the course of three or four years they 

 -are no longer profitable to cultivate. Others, especially 

 those which are too vigorous and coarse when brought 

 out, tone down and improve in quality. An attempt 

 to mention all the varieties at present in cultivation 

 will not be made here; they can be found in seeds- 

 men's lists ; but those which are worthy of particular 

 notice will be given. Potatoes vary so much in 

 important characteristics that it is not easy to make 

 a classification which reaclily shows all the divisions 

 that are desirable for the assistance of the potato grower. 



Division of Varieties by the Ripening Period. 



The chief division is that of 



Earlies. 



Second Earlies, or Mid-Season. 



Late, or Main Crops. 



The Earlies are those which come first into the 

 market, and are suitable for forcing. Unless required 



