IN THE EVERGLADES 59 



for those that are an inch or less in diameter, known as cream 

 potatoes ; these, of course, must be packed separately. The 

 demand for potatoes, even to the present day, in our section of the 

 country, has been so strong that it has been impossible to fill 

 orders of local buyers. Returns per crate, taking into considera- 

 tion the comparatively small outlay particularly for labor, have 

 been very flattering, and our Dade County potato has already an 

 enviable place in the select markets of the North. 



We have grown potatoes frequently in this country that were 

 not only the finest in appearance, but also in quality, of any that I 

 have ever seen grown in the various States of the North, in which 

 I have also had considerable experience heretofore. 



I remember on one occasion of having on exhibition, at our 

 annual county fair, Dade County potatoes of the variety known 

 as Early Ohio, which were so bright and waxy in appearance 

 that I was frequently asked if they were not artificial, made of 

 wax in imitation of candied fruits, etc. 



It is, of course, preferable at all times to dig potatoes during 

 the dry weather, and I wish to emphasize the advisability of 

 picking them up from the soil without exposing them to the rays 

 of the sun or the elements of the weather for more than a few 

 hours at a time, high winds and hot sunny weather being particu- 

 larly injurious to their appearance and quality. 



