490 
preference for Potatoes with yellow flesh, where- 
as in England, for many years past, there has 
been a preference for white-fleshed Potatoes. 
On this account even the celebrated Magnum 
Bonum (fig. 1255), which my house had the 
honour of introducing in 1876, after having 
Fig. 1255.—Potato—Magnum Bonum. 
enjoyed a brief popularity in the Paris markets, 
has been almost abandoned as a table variety 
on account of the flesh being too pale in colour. 
M. Vilmorin remarks that in Germany 
siderable attention has been given to the raising 
of seedling Potatoes, and more particularly with 
con- | 
the object of obtaining varieties which are spe- | 
cially adapted for the production of alcohol and 
starch. 
Modern Introductions. tato-growers 
are indebted to the lifelong labours of such 
men as the late James Clark of Christchurch, 
Hants, who raised the following amongst other | 
standard varieties (most of which I have myself 
been responsible for introducing) :— 
Abundance, Nonsuch, 
Ideal, Reliance, 
Invincible, Satisfaction, 
Magnum Bonum, Supreme, 
Maincrop Kidney, Sutton’s Seedling, 
Ninety-fold, Windsor Castle; 
to the veteran Mr. Robert Fenn of Southampton, 
Berks, whose best-known seedlings are Ring- 
leader, Early Regent, and Reading Russet; to 
Mr. Shakeshaft of Lymn, Cheshire, who raised 
Harbinger, which has taken so prominent a 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
place in Ayrshire; and to Mr. Charles Ross, 
Mr. A. Dean, and others, whose attention has 
been chiefly devoted to the raising of garden 
Potatoes. 
Credit is also due to Mr. A. Findlay of Mark- 
inch, for introducing one of the heaviest crop- 
ping Potatoes of the day, viz. 
Up-to-Date, as-well as British 
Queen, Jeanie Deans, and 
Challenge; and to Mr. C. 
Fidler of Reading, who has 
introduced Reading Giant, 
Colossal, and Queen. 
Amongst other Potatoes 
which have taken a promi- 
nent place in recent years, 
as a result of hybridization 
[crossing], the following de- 
serve mention:— ! 
Beauty of Hebron (from Ame- 
rica). 
Early Puritan (from America). 
Early Rose (from America; largely 
grown in 8. Africa). 
Schoolmaster (introduced by Tur- 
ner of Slough). 
Snowdrop (introduced by Perkins 
of Northampton). 
The Saxon (fron? Germany). 
Victor (introduced by Sharp of 
Sleaford). 
CULTIVATION 
Soil.—The best soil for the Potato is a natu- 
rally good friable loam, rather light than other- 
wise, and free from stagnant water. In such 
soil the produce is abundant and the quality 
good. Thin sandy soils also produce well- 
flavoured Potatoes; but of course to obtain 
quantity of produce the assistance of manure 
is necessary. The worst soils for the Potato 
are those which are naturally wet and heavy, 
and those which have long been cropped and 
heavily manured; hence, garden ground in most 
cases does not produce tubers of so good quality 
as those obtained from the fields. It is there- 
fore not advisable to occupy the garden with 
any but early kinds, if the general supply can 
be obtained from the fields. The soil ought to 
be prepared well in advance by digging it deeply 
and turning it up roughly so that the action of 
frost, &c., in winter may pulverize and other- 
wise improve it. 
Manure.—In good garden soil the less manure 
that is used the better flavoured will be the 
produce, and it will also be much less affected 
by disease. 
