HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 47 



and of the spirit that is awakened in this good old county, on 

 the subject of fruit in general. 



Esculent Roots and Garden Vegetables. — Some fine speci- 

 mens of winter squashes were presented by the Rev. Dr. 

 Allen, and by Ansel Wright, and a very large one by Mi- 

 chael Williams. These were the Valparaiso, the Paris, and . 

 large Crookneck. These large specimens of squashes excite 

 surprise and wonder, but they are far less valuable than the 

 Butter, or the Marrow, the Acorn, the genuine Valparaiso, and 

 the Canada Crookneck. The winter squash is one of our 

 finest vegetables, and the varieties are numerous. In small 

 gardens, it is difficult to keep them distinct for any great length 

 of time. The better sorts only are worth cultivating for the 

 table. 



Handsome specimens of sweet potato were raised and pre- 

 sented by H. K. Starkweather. T. G. Huntington, of Hadley, 

 exhibited two handsome specimens of the seed wheat, and 

 good-looking potatoes raised from the seed — the only way to 

 obtain new varieties. Such efforts are worthy of encourage- 

 ment. Messrs. James and George Dickinson, of Hadley, pre- 

 sented a basket of large and fine-looking potatoes, the seed of 

 which was brought by them from London. They are there 

 called theYorkshire Flats. They are very handsome, said to 

 yield well, and are hardy. When cooked, they are good flavored 

 and mealy. The writer has eaten of them, and can bear testi- 

 mony to their excellence. They are said to be best for spring 

 use, but are good at all seasons. Messrs. Dickinson raised, this 

 year, thirty-one bushels on 20 rods of ground, part of which 

 was shaded by a barn. The advantage of this potato is its 

 productiveness, large size, entire freedom from rot, and excel- 

 lence for the table. The committee recommend to the farmers 

 the cultivation of this new kind, understanding that the Messrs. 

 Dickinson will reserve, and be willing to dispose of, their en- 

 tire stock for seed. 



It is to be regretted that so few varieties of potatoes are pre- 

 sented for exhibition. The cultivation of the better sorts is a 

 matter of deep interest to the whole community. The potato is 

 the most valuable esculent, cultivated as the food of man. AI- 



