188 KlTCHEN GARDEN. 



The forcing of early potatoes on hotbeds has long 

 been practiced ; but it is attended "with considerable 

 trouble and expense. Small supplies of- young waxy 

 tubers are now often produced during winter, in boxes 

 placed in a mushroom-house, or in a common cellar, if 

 free from frost. In October, old potatoes are placed in 

 layers, alternating with a mixture of tree-leaves and 

 light mould. Vegetation soon proceeds ; and there be- 

 ing no opportunity for the unfolding of stems and leaves, 

 the energies of the plants are expanded in the produc- 

 tion of young tubers. Before njid-winter these often 

 attain the size and appearance of early potatoes ; but 

 they are much inferior in quality, being wa,tery and of 

 little flavor. 



Of the varieties known in the United States, the Mer- 

 cer, an American Seedling, is almost exclusively the 

 market potato of Philadelphia, .where however some few 

 persons fairly appreciate the superior value for eating of 

 the Foxite. The Mercer and Pink-eye varieties are most 

 prized in New York, whilst the two varieties known by 

 the names of Blue Jackets and Winnebagoes, are most 

 esteemed at the Eastward. Few if any of the varieties 

 found to succeed best in England do well in the United 

 States, where native seedlings, including .such as we 

 have named, turn out by far the best crops, both as to 

 quantity and quality. The potato yields best in the 

 Northern and Eastern States, especially Maine, where it 

 enters largely into the farmer's crops. 



Where the soil is heavy, a compost is recommended 



ing numerous inquiries and publications, nothing satisfactory, 

 eitlier as to cause or cure, has been established, and, fortunately, 

 the evil is gradually disappearing. 



