QJj. The Western Pomologist and Gardener 1872 



Peerless Potatoes* 



In the February number of the Pomologist and Gabdener is an article by S. J. Par- 

 ker, on the Peerless Potato, giving the bright side of the question, and hitting growlers of 

 Connecticut and elsewhere. In ordeJ to duly estimate the true value of any vegetable or 

 grain, we should have both sides of the question — its bad qualities as well as its good 

 ones. A potato may be good in New York and not in Iowa. And I think such is the 

 case with the Peerless. I have tried it two years in Iowa, and I pronounce it of poor 

 quality — soggy and of poor liavor — far inferior to the Peachblow. If its quality was 

 first-rate, I would raiher have it than any other variety I ever tried. I think soil has 

 much to do with the quality of potatoes. 



Many varieties raised in the sandj' and clayey soils of the east and said to be number 

 one in quality, when brought west and planted in our prairie soils, prove to be of very 

 poor quality. The Harrison, Prince Albert and Early Goodrich have in turn been very 

 highly praised in the east, but are generally of poor quality in prairie soils. And I think 

 within five years the same verdict will be pronounced on the Peerless. I obtained my 

 seed of James J. H. Gregory, Marblehead, Massachusetts, and think it is genuine. — E. E. 

 B., Onslow, Iowa. 



A Pretty way to Train a Fochsia. 



When a slip has grown seven or eight inches high, nip out the top down to the next set 

 of leaves ; it will then throw out branches on each side. Let these grow eight or ten 

 inches, then nip out as before the tops of each branch when grown the same height as the 

 others, then nip out again ; then procure a stick the size of your finger, eighteen inches in 

 length, take hoop skirt wire, twine back and forth alternately through holes made in the 

 stick equal distances apart. Place this firmly in the pot back of the plant, tie the branches 

 to it and you will have, when in flower, a beautiful and very graceful plant. Having one 

 trained in that way last season, it was the admiration of all who saw it. — Small Fruit 

 Bseorder. 



How TO Raise Celbkt. — A correspondent of the Journal of Agriculture says : "There 

 is no need of a hot-bed for starling celery plants. In April, as soon as the ground can be 

 thoroughly worked, sow your bed. Keep the weeds out and use a little patience, as celery 

 is slow to make its appearance. To insure stocky plants the tops should be shorn off 

 once or twice before transplanting. About the middle of June prepare thoroughly the 

 plat of ground you desire the celery to grow upon ; transplant in rows three feet apart, 

 setting the plans five to six inches from each other in the row. The ground should be 

 moist at the time of planting ; if not, press the earth by the side of the plant, gently, 

 with the foot. After this keep the weeds down and the ground mellow until August. 

 During this month, for fall use, the blanching process should be commenced. To do this 

 it is best to use the hoe in drawing the soil up against the plant, and then, with the hand, 

 press close around each plant the soil, that ihe leaves may be held firmly in an upright 

 position. Draw up more soil as a support and finish by breaking up, with the soil between 

 the rows on each side, to the top of the plants. In this way the celery will be ready for 

 the table in September." 



Renovating Quince Trees. — I had in my garden several trees which for a number of 

 years had never borne the value of one peck of fair quinces, and I had about made up my 

 mind to destroy them, when a neighbor called on me and stated that his had been in a 

 similar condition until he took them in hand. First he trimmed out all dead%nd useless 

 wood. He then hoed and cleaned away all grass, etc., which tended to retard their growth 

 giving to them clean cultivation. He then gave them a thorough manuring with fresh 

 horse manure, and from that time his trees had never failed to produce a full crop. I 

 accordingly adopted his cnnr.se to the letter, and so long as I continued this course had an 

 abundant supply, and of the finest quality. — SmaU Fruit Recorder. 



