AMATEUR cultivator's GUIDE 



per oz 



Cayenne. The pods of this variety are quite small, cone-shaped, coral red when ripe, in- 

 tensely acrid, and furnish {he cayenne pepper of commerce. Per pkt., lo . .50 



Cherry. The pods or fruit erect, nearly globular or cherry-forrn, and, at maturity, of a deep 



rich, glossy, scarlet color, remarkable for its intense piquancy. Per pkt., 10 . . 50 



Squssh. Fruit compressed, more or less ribbed ; skin smooth and glossy ; flesh thick, mild, 



and pleasant to the taste ; the best variety for pickling alone. Per pkt., :o . -50 



Sweet Mountain, or Mammoth. Similar to the preceding in form and color, but much 



larger; fine for pickling. Per pkt., 10 _ . .50 



Sweet Spanish. Though one of the largest varieties, it is also one of the earliest; flesh 



sweet, mild, and pleasant ; used for salads and pickling. Per pkt., 10 . . .50 



Potato (SoLANU.M Tuberosum). 

 German, Karioffel. — French, Pomme de Terre. 



Culture. — A sandy loam is better calculated for the Potato than a heavy or very clayey soil. 

 Though any soil will do, it must be observed that the roots produced in a light one are more di^ 

 and sweeter than those grown in a heavy soil. The finest Potatoes are grown in a new, light, 

 rich loam. If the soil is heavy, the manure used should be composed of well-decayed leaves, 

 horse-manure, and ashes, well blended and mixed together before using. A good crop can seldom 

 be raised if this article is sparingly laid on. Sets for planting should be cut at least one week 

 before planting, and spread out thin on a floor to dry. Another important consideration is, whether 

 small tubers or large ones should be employed for making sets. L.irge tubers, however, are pref- 

 erable, for the following reasons : In all plants, large buds tend to produce large shoots ; and small 

 or weak buds, the reverse. Now, the eyes of Potatoes are true buds, and in small tubers they are 

 comparatively weak : they consequently produce weak shoots, and the crop from such is inferior to 

 that obtained from plants originating from large tubers furnished with stronger eyes. The part of 

 the Potato planted is not a matter of indifference. It was found, by an experiment made in the 

 garden of the Horticultural Society, that sets taken from the points of the tubers yielded at the rate 

 of upwards of three tons per acre more than was obtained from employing the opposite end of the 

 tubers. . , , , . , 



Potatoes are usually planted either m hills or ridges, the former method being the most com- 

 mon in this country. As soon as the plants are fairly started above the surface, hoeing and surface 

 stirring stiould be commenced. The earth should gradually be drawn about the hills, or along the 

 ridges, at each successive hoeing, and every encouragement given to the side-roots to extend them- 

 selves; for, nearly at their extremities, the tubers are formed: so that deeply stirring the ground 

 between the hills or ridges tends to their extension. But this treatment must not becan-ied beyond 

 a certain stage in the growth of the plant, or after the tubers have reached a considerable size, as 

 the extremities of the roots might be seriouslj; injured. In the preservation of Potatoes, it is of the 

 first importance that they be excluded from light. In a state of complete darkness, they should, 

 therefore, be placed, the day they are taken oat of the ground. Drying has a bad effect on the skin 



of the Potato. 



per bush. 



Early Handsworth. A new variety lately received from England, which is believed to be 

 the earliest of any in cultivation ; superior either for forcing, or culture in the open 

 ground. Dwarf and prolific 6.00 



Early Stevens. A variety which originated in Northern Vermont. Very early and produc- 

 tive ; tubers of medium size, roundish ; flesh white, of excellent flavor. A supe- 

 rior market variety 2.50 



Early Sovereign. A favorite early variety, of excellent quality; very productive, and a 



good keeper 3oo 



Extra Early White. An early and well-known variety. Very productive, and of good 



flavor 2.50 



Early Wendall. One of the largest of the early. Very productive, of uniformly good 



quality ; keeps well ; one of the best for general cultivation . . _ . . . 2.50 



Jackson While. Flesh perfectly white when cooked, remarkably dry, mealy, farinaceous, and 

 well-flavored. A good keeper, commands the highest market-price, and, every 

 thing considered, must be classed as one of the best, and recommended for gen- 

 eral cultivation 2.00 



Dalmahoy. A new variety; from Ireland. A handsome medium-sized Potato, very flow- 

 ery, and of good flavor. Prolific, good keeper, and, all things considered, one of 

 the best for general cultivation 3.°° 



Davis's Seedling. For general cultivation, this variety is probably one of the most profitable 

 sorts known, as it yields abundantly, even with ordinary cultivation. It is of good 

 quality and fine flavor ; flesh nearly white, slightly tinged with pink when cooked . 2.00 



Goodrich's Early. One of the largest and earliest varieties; two weeks earlier than the 

 Jackson White, and one of the most productive, — two hundred and fifty bushels 

 having been grown to the acre. Per pk., 1.50 3.00 



Goodrich's Garnet Chili. This variety is healthy, yields abundantly, and is greatly supe- 

 rior to many sorts for table use, and might be profitably grown for farm purjMses . 2.00 



Cuzco. White flesh, good size and flavor. A most abundant bearer ; keeps well ; good for 



a general crop 2 00 



Calico. A seedling of the Garnet Chili, a little earlier than that variety; has a firm, crisp 



flesh ; cooks white and dry 3-°° 



New Whito Peach-blow. A decided improvement upon the well-known Jersey Peach- 

 blow. Flesh white, floury, of most excellent quality. Cannot be too strongly 



recommended ; a first-rate market variety 2.00 



Above prices suhjcci to variation, • 



