Proceedings of tee Farmers' Club, 353 



think, can convince any gentleman who has not lost his taste entirely 

 that the Number Six is, with me at least, a first class table potato. The 

 White-eye Peachblow, a new variety, originating with our worthy 

 friend, Dr. llexamer, is an improvement even on its excellent progeni- 

 tor, the old White Peachblow, and must supplant it as fast as it 

 becomes known. The Excelsior makes a bold push for the first place 

 also, and its name is not its only claim. An early potato, with the 

 excellent points of the Peachblow and enormously productive — I have 

 tailed to see a weak spot in it — it must become very popular. The 

 Early Rose — well, it won't do to talk Rose to the farmers of 

 of many parts of the country after this season's experience. It does 

 not smell " sweet as a rose" to them now, though many of them were 

 almost ready to swear by it last spring. Some whom I know are 

 much to blame themselves. They ran all over the country, like mad, 

 for seed, which they planted all over their farms with little manure 

 and less care, and spent some hot days in August " cussing" the pota- 

 toes, which were not worth digging. I guess this experience will be 

 worth something to them. They will learn one thing — that it won't 

 do to slight the Rose, while it will repay real attention. The Late Rose 

 is undoubtedly an off-shoot of the Rose. I have noticed it carefully 

 for two years, have planted it separately, and am not convinced that 

 it will continue to maintain itself as a distinct variety. Its principal 

 characteristic seems to be its coarse grain and its lateness, which may 

 arise from some accidental weakness or degeneration of the seed. 

 This seems the more probable, as I find it each season scattered 

 through the field, while all the stock of Rose on the farm came origi- 

 nally from one potato. Every practical grower knows that not all his 

 potatoes of any one kind will be of the same quality. Some Peach- 

 blows will be poorer on the table than others in the next hill ; some 

 will rot sooner than others ; and some here and there by their curled 

 and stunted tops will show their waning vigor. I guess " this is what 

 ails" the Late Rose. I will recommend the " King of the Earlies" as 

 entitled to his rank ; at all' events, he got himself ready soon enough 

 for me to get seven dollars per barrel for him the last week in June, 

 in the New York market. Let Long Island hark to that, and if she 

 will plant enough Number Fours next spring, I can't do that again 

 from " Old Putnam." 



[Inst.] 23 



