66 



I sell are Eastern grown, which, as every one interested in potato 

 culture knows, are superior and preferable to Western grown. 



I have tried and introduced all new kinds here ; but of late so 

 many have come out that it is almost impossible to keep up with 

 them. New varieties of potatoes come out with fancy prices, but these 

 prices for new potatoes do not pay here, as we can keep none over for 

 seed, and any person raising for the market would not realize a cent 

 more for a new fancy variety per barrel, than for a barrel of good 

 Peerless or Early Rose. Earliness is' no consideration, as we plant 

 from December to end of March. Somebody may plant Early Eose 

 in December and another in February, and those planted in February 

 come to the market first ; it depends entirely upon the season. If 

 late frosts set in, early planted potatoes will be cut down, and those 

 just coming out of the ground will not be hurt. The Jackson White 

 has given but little satisfaction the last four years, except in cases 

 vvdiere planted very early. The yield was very good, but the quality 

 poor and very knotty. Perhaps this was the fault of the season. It 

 is hardly planted any more for the market. Up to now the Peerless 

 is the standard variety. Among the new kinds I have tried, I find 

 the White Elephant to be a fine potato. It is a very strong grower, 

 tubers oblong, very productive, good quality and flavor. It is late, and 

 will come in at the end of the season if planted with the earlier varie- 

 ties. The Extra Early Vermont, Beauty of Hebron, Snowflake and 

 Early Eose for early, and Peerless and White Elephant for late, are 

 as good varieties as exist, and it is not likely that we will have anything 

 better by new introductions. Most people are not careful enough in 

 selecting their seed. Some of the potatoes sold in this market for 

 seed are not fit for planting. 



Early Rose. This is, without any doubt, the best potato for the 

 table. It is oval, very shallow-eyed, pink-skinned, very dry, and 

 mealy when boiled. It has not become so popular as it deserves as a 

 market variety, as pink or red potatoes do not sell so well here as the 

 white kinds. This variety should not be planted too soon, from the 

 fact that they make small stalks, and if cut down by frost, they suffer 

 more than other varieties. No better potato for family use. Every 

 one who plants potatoes ought to plant some of this variety, but they 

 want rich, light soil to grow to perfection. 



Breese's Peerless. Thirteen 3 ears ago this variet3- was 

 introduced, yet at in^esent it is the leading variety for market as well as 

 for family use. Skin dull white, sometimes slightly russetted ; eyes 

 few and shallow, round, occasionally oblong ; grows to a large size ; 

 very productive and earlier than the Jackson White. As white pota- 

 toes are more salable than pinkish kinds, and as this variety is hand- 

 some in appearance, and of good quality, it has become the general 

 favorite in this section. 



Raissets, This kind is still planted by some. It is round, red- 

 dish and slightly russetted. Eyes deep and many. Very productive, 

 but not so fine a quality as some others. Does best in sandy soil, such 



