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obtained in the northern section of this area. In support of 

 this position, we need take for ilhistration the experiments of 

 the lamented Goodrich of New York, and of Albert Breese of 

 Vermont. Mr. Goodrich, out of thousands of seedlings, ob- 

 tained half a dozen standard varieties, while Mr. Breese, out 

 of less than a dozen, obtained at least three seedlings that, 

 either universally or in large sections of country, are recog- 

 nized as standard varieties. Such wonderful results as were 

 obtained by Mr. Breese, are, it is true, rare ; but taking the fact 

 in connection with another, that so many of the standard 

 seedlings, and formerly new before the public, such as the old 

 Chenango, Orouo, Excelsior, Early Vermont, and Snowflake, 

 originated in the northern portion of this area of country, I 

 think we may advance a step farther in our suggestions, and 

 state that within the area north of the latitude of southern 

 New York, those dwelling in the northern portions have prob- 

 ably the best chances to originate first class seedling potatoes. 



"We now propose to discuss, 1st, What is required in a new 

 seedling to make it an acquisition? 2d, What steps are most 

 likely to produce such a seedling? 



1st. What is required in a new seedling to make it an ac- 

 quisition? The requirement in a potato to be accepted by 

 the public as a standard, is, that while it equals standards al- 

 ready accepted in other characteristics, it shall also excel them 

 in one or more. Now the characteristics that make up a 

 model variety, relate to yield, quality, flavor, freedom from 

 rot, shape, size, color of skin, number of eyes, depth of eye, 

 color of flesh, keeping properties, soundness at the heart, 

 earliuess or lateness of maturity, manner of distribution in 

 the ground, and habit of growth of the vines. I think that 

 it may be assumed that before any originator has the right to 

 send forth any new variety as an acquisition, he must be able 

 to demonstrate that his protege is a decided acquisition in 

 some one of these characteristics and fully up to the average 

 in the remainder. In determining this, he must make more 



