ON VEGETABLE PRODUCT?. 77 



the blossom-end, formed by the base of the pistil, which re- 

 main permanently attached. In most other kinds of squashes 

 the pistil falls off with the blossom. My squash, moreover, 

 seems to be the Cucurbita mammeata, described by Molina 

 as a native of Chili, and named on account of the nipple-like 

 tubercle at the end. The fruit-stem is precisely like that of 

 the autumnal marrow squash, which also is surmounted at the 

 apex by a little tubercle. 



I hear very little complaint of potato-rot. In the year 

 1847, I bought my supply of winter potatoes of a Mr. Sher- 

 man, of Lincoln. They were called the St. Helena potatoes ; 

 and out of fifteen bushels, there was not one rotten one. So 

 much pleased was I with them, that I got a supply of them 

 for the winter of 1848-9, and they also proved excellent and 

 free from rot. In the autumn of 1849, I was told by a man 

 from Lincoln, that the rot had taken the St. Helena potatoes in 

 that town, and I was afraid to purchase the same kind. The 

 information I have since learned was not strictly correct. Mr. 

 Sherman lost very few of his St. Helenas by decay. This 

 autumn, I have again purchased the same kind of him, and he 

 tells me that they have not been at all affected this year, and 

 but very little for two years previous. Some time in the 

 spring or summer of 1849, I wrote an article concerning the 

 insects supposed to produce the disease in ])otatoes, and made 

 some remarks on the cultivation of these vegetables, and on 

 the St. Helena variety. My article was printed in some news- 

 papers, but I have in vain looked for it, though desirous to re- 

 fer to it again. I suggested, that perhaps the St. Helena pota- 

 to might be constitutionally so vigorous and hardy, as in great 

 measure or wholly to resist the attacks of the disease. So far 

 as I can learn, my suggestion seems to be verified. If you have 

 not already tried this excellent kind of potato, permit me to 

 recommend it to you. 



It is to be hoped that those cultivators, who iiave observed 

 the prevalence of insects on their potato-vines this summer, 

 will favor the public with the results. We hope to have accounts 

 from all quarters, where the insects have prevailed, of the con- 

 dition of the crop after digging. In some fields in this vicini- 



