500 
4 lbs. It is therefore a question whether the 
additional weight per acre would compensate 
the grower for the somewhat laborious task of 
spraying his crop three times during the grow- 
ing period. 
“In the elaborate series of experiments con- 
ducted this year in conjunction with Professor 
Gilchrist of the University Extension College, 
Reading, we found that in the first and second 
Tig, 1261.—Potato—Ringleader 
early varieties no advantage is gained by spray- 
ing. These crops finished their growth before 
disease could attack the plants, and the dressing 
did not appreciably lengthen the period of 
growth; in fact there was an actual loss on the 
sprayed plots. The experiments proved that 
sorts which are peculiarly liable to disease, espe- 
cially when grown in gardens, if treated with 
a judicious application of the Bordeaux Mixture 
will yield a crop of sound Potatoes, even in 
years when ordinary crops are decimated by 
disease.” 
Bordeaux Mixture is a preparation of copper 
sulphate and lime, first used in Bordeaux about | 
fifteen years ago to prevent the attacks of mil- 
dew on Grape-vines. It has since been used 
for numerous other fungus plant-diseases, with 
such satisfactory results that it has come to be 
looked upon as a safe, cheap, and effective 
fungicide for plants of all kinds. 
The mixture is made up as follows:— 
RARER nage ann cowskesnss 50 gallons. 
Copper sulphate......... 6 pounds. 
MIR enc akk <s wabsenic nasa 4 pounds. 
It is prepared by dissolving the copper sulphate 
in 25 gallons of water, and slacking the lime 
into a smooth paste before adding it to 25 gal- 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
lons of water. The two solutions are then 
allowed to cool before being thoroughly mixed 
together. If the mixture is too strong it will 
change the colour of a steel blade to that of 
copper, and more lime-water must be added 
until the colour of the steel is unaffected. The 
cost of this mixture is about a halfpenny per 
gallon. It is usual to spray the Potato plants 
three times during their growing season, the 
first in June. Of course it must 
be understood that the mixture 
is a preventive, and therefore it 
should be on the plants before 
the spores of the disease are 
there. There are various spray- 
ing-machines in the market for 
the application of Bordeaux Mix- 
ture. See also chapter on Spray- 
mg Frut-Trees (11. p. 40). 
VARIETIES OF POTATOES. 
Early Kidney. 
Duke of York.—Haulm somewhat 
strong; no flowers; tubers large, of good 
form, white in colour, flesh slightly 
yellow. Cooks well, and the flavour is 
good. 
Early Eclipse.— Haulm strong and 
branching; tubers large, smooth, white, 
flesh yellowish. Quality good. 
Early Queen (Dickson).—Sturdy haulm; flowers coloured; 
tubers medium, skin white, flesh yellow. A very heavy- 
cropping, profitable variety. 
May Queen (Sutton).—Haulm moderately strong; tubers 
large, of good form, floury-white and of good flavour 
when cooked. An extra early sort, excellent for forcing. 
Myatt’s Ashleaf.—Haulm moderately strong; flowers 
coloured; tubers white, flesh yellow. A heavy-cropping 
and very old favourite. 
Ninety-fold (Sutton).—Haulm erect and dwarf; flowers 
white; tubers large, perfect in form, skin white, flesh very 
white and of good flavour. An extra heavy cropper. A 
valuable addition to early varieties. 
Old Ashleaf.—Haulm short; tubers somewhat small, 
skin white, flesh yellow. Light-cropping, but desirable; 
extra early; one of the oldest and best sorts for forcing. 
Ringleader (Sutton) (fig. 1261).—Haulm moderate in 
height and robust, foliage quite unlike that of the Ashleaf 
One of the earliest Kidney Potatoes, and has the 
advantage of being white in flesh. Immediately the tubers 
are large enough to lift, the flavour and quality are excel- 
lent. 
Royal Ashleaf (Rivers).—Haulm moderately strong ; 
flowers coloured; tubers long and thin, skin white, flesh 
yellow, of good flavour when cooked. A moderately heavy 
cropper. 
Snowdrop.—Haulm strong and branching; tubers large, 
of good form, skin white, flesh white when cut. Cooks 
admirably. 
class. 
Early Round. 
A 1 (Sutton).—Haulm short and strong; tubers round, 
skin white, flesh when cooked firm, white, and dry. 
Heavy-cropping and good for forcing. 
