135 



illiistratiou of an erratic distribution. Of the habit of growth 

 of the vine, the short jointed, compact growth of which the 

 Excelsior is a good ilhistration, is desirable, as such a habit 

 admits of greater ease in the cultivation of the crop. 



While these are the desirable qualities in every new seed- 

 ling which applies to be admitted as a standard, and while 

 man}' of these characteristics are absolutely essential, yet 

 were a variety presented that excelled to a remarkable degree 

 in the leading points of a good potnto, the public would be 

 ready to waive many minor points in its favor. 



The late Mr. Goodrich, who had a far larger experience in 

 producing new seedlings than au}^ other man in the United 

 States, gave, as the result of his observation, that a seedling 

 potato was liable to sport in shape until the fourth year ; in 

 other words, it did not acquire its true normal shape until the 

 fourth year from the seed. From the great number of seed- 

 lings introduced the third year from the seed, it is to be pre- 

 sumed the public lack either faith or information on this point. 



Having presented the characteristics of a seedling potato 

 worthy to be admitted among the standard kinds, the question 

 naturally arises, can experience or science help the persever- 

 ing cultivator to the attainment of such a model ? I think 

 each can help somewhat. In my own experience, I have 

 found that there is a great tendency in some varieties to re- 

 peat themselves, such, for an instance, as the Orono. And 

 here let me put in a word of advice. It is not desirable to 

 iave a seedling follow too closely its parent, for the result is 

 apt to create confusion and dissatisfaction with the public. It 

 is unfortunate that that excellent variety. Early Vermont, 

 should so closely resemble Early Rose ; and for this same 

 reason, a dozen or more seedlings of Early Rose, which I 

 Jiave tested the few years past, with the single exception of 

 Early Ohio, have diftered so little from their progenitor as to 

 be practically worthless. 



The procuring tubers of the native wild stock, on the pla- 



