48 HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND 



though it has been the subject of disease, which has greatly di- 

 minished the quantity produced, yet there has been no deficiency 

 as an article of food in this country. It is a subject of interest- 

 ing inquiry, what varieties of the potato resist this disease 

 most certainly, and what are most subject to it. The disease 

 was never extensively known till the Carters were introduced. 

 These are a delicate sort, and, like delicate sorts of all fruits, 

 vegetables, and even animals, most liable to disease and death. 

 The Carters, Mercers, or Chenangoes, have suffered more from 

 rot than the more hardy varieties. The vines are more deli- 

 cate, and, to the insect that has been supposed to be the cause 

 of the evil, may afford more delicate food than the vines of the 

 more hardy kinds. When we cultivated the Red potato, the 

 Rusticoats, the English Whites, the Scotch Greys, the Blue, the 

 Orange, and the Irish Whites, this formidable disease was un- 

 known. Many of these varieties were fine when first intro- 

 duced, but they all degenerate, and, as they become less delicate, 

 they become more hardy. Such will probably be the case with 

 the Chenangoes and the Carters. 



At present, the Peach Blow is one of the best varieties of the 

 more hardy sorts. It ranks below the Carter for delicacy, and 

 above it for productiveness and hardiness ; it is certainly one 

 of the best potatoes, and worthy of extensive cultivation. 



Such being the tendency to degenerate with the potato, every 

 farmer should avail himself of new varieties which promise 

 well. The very beautiful specimens presented by T. G. Hunt- 

 ington, of Hadley, raised from the seed, it is to be hoped will 

 continue to be raised till their true character is ascertained. If 

 they prove good varieties, as doubtless many of them will, the 

 cultivator will deserve the thanks of the farmers, and the grati- 

 tude of the community. 



One of the excellencies of the Yorkshire Flats, presented by 

 Mr. Dickinson is, that, when planted in the midst of those 

 which have suffered greatly from rot, it has entirely escaped. 



The cause of this destructive " rot" is a mystery that may 

 never be developed, but it should prove no obstacle to cultiva- 

 tion. The true way is to continue to cultivate, and trust a 

 wise and beneficent Providence for the result. The evil will 



