1869.] REPORT ON VEGETABLES. 21 



For health and productiveness in open-field culture, the Garnet Chili and 

 Harrison can hardly be excelled. Some might, perhaps, add to these the Cuzco, 

 Gleason, and the Calico — none of these, however, though all of very good qual- 

 ity, are of the first degree of excellence for the table. 



Of the varieties more recent than the Rose, the Concord Seedling, so favor- 

 ably noticed by Mr. Lovell in his statement, Bresee's Prolific or No. 2, and the 

 Climax, if not ruined by the forcing process, bid fair to be among the best, being 

 quite equal to the Rose in productiveness, and quality, and apparently more 

 hardy. They need, however, the test of time before their rank can be fully and 

 definitely determined. In quality the Early Rose is equalled, and probably 

 excelled by the Worcester or Reilly and the well-ripened Peach Blow. These 

 varieties, however cannot be recommended for general culture, as they are but 

 moderately productive. 



The q'lestion has been asked by some of the contributors whether the Wor- 

 cester or Reilly p;)tato and the Dover are distinct varieties. There seems to be 

 good reason for believing that they are. The history of the two potatoes, so far 

 as they can be traced, seems to indicate a different origin ; the Reilly originat- 

 ing in Middlesex county in 1848 or 18i9, and the Dover in Dover, N. H., 

 whence it takes its name, in 1854 or 1855. A discussion on this very point 

 arose in the Horticultural Society at Boston, some ten years since, and a mem- 

 ber of the society at that time selected a plate of each variety in order to test 

 their respective merits. His verdict was that they were distinct, and not one 

 and the same potato. He thought the Dover of a darker red, smoother and 

 with less cavernous eyes. 



A gentleman in the western part of the State who has experimented the past 

 season with 140 varieties, also gives them in his catalogue as distinct, and pro- 

 nounces the Reilly much the superior of the two in quality. 



It is possible, notwithstanding all this, that the Dover, which seems to have 

 come latest into cultivation, bears the same relation to the Reilly as the Main 

 to the Concord grape. However it maybe, both these varieties, notwithstanding 

 their excellent qualities, have proved themselves such iudifiFerent growers that 

 the solution of the question cannot now be of any great practical importance. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



H. L. PARKER, Chairman. 

 4 



