STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY MOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY 



P TP^^.TP O (Solanum tuberosum) 



HISTORY — Native of the high valleys of the Andes; Chile, Peru and 

 Mexico. The name has evidently been given it from the word Batata, 

 the Indian name for sweet potato. It was also called Papas. Apparently 

 the first specimens to be brought from the New World came from Quito, 

 and from Spain they were gradually disseminated through Europe, first 

 to Italy, thence to Mons, Belgium. The governor of Mons, recognizing 

 the great possibilities of the new genera, sent specimens to the celebrated 

 botanist Clusius in Vienna in 1598. During this time, however, the 

 English had also discovered the great value of potatoes as a vegetable. 

 Sir Walter Raleigh has credit for bringing the potato to Ireland in 1586. 

 They were planted in Sir Walter's estate in Cork and soon had a reputa- 

 tion throughout all of Ireland, where it was known many years in 



GREEN MOUNTAIN (x 4/5) 



IRISH COBBLER 



advance of England. This fact no doubt accounts for the common 

 expression Irish potato. Credit seems also due to two English admirals, 

 Drake and Hawkins, who claim to have brought the potato from Quito 

 within a year of Raleigh's bringing the potato from Virginia. Ten years 

 later Gerard speaks of growing potatoes in his famous garden in Holborn, 

 London. The cultivation of the potato as a field crop did not become 

 common throughout the continent for 75 years. At the present time, 

 however, it is one of the most important world crops. Vilmorin places 

 the" t number of so-called varieties of potatoes at many thousand. In his 

 book "The Vegetable Garden," however, he is able to classify these under 

 40 principal types, and this number certainly should be sufficient for all 

 distinct American varieties. 



American Giant 



This variety is elongated in shape, slightly flat with a bright cream 

 color skin and considered suitable for cooking and baking purposes. 

 It is slightly later than Irish Cobbler, but not quite so late as Green 

 Mountain. This variety originated in Washington County, New 

 York. The acreage spread from the place of its origin into Clinton 

 County, where there is a large acreage grown for seed purposes. 



Green Mountain 



This is a standard main crop variety extensively used in New 

 Jersey and vicinity. It is of exceptionally high quality and usually 

 sells at a premium on the Eastern markets. The tubers are oblong 

 and broad in shape with the skin a dull cream or light russet 

 color, frequently having brown splashes toward the seed end. The 

 sprouts are usually creamy white in color while the flowers are 

 also white. 



Early Rose 



This is usually the first variety which appears 

 on the early market and is widely grown for 

 this purpose. Its tubers are roundish, oblong 

 and somewhat flat, while the skin is flesh 

 colored or pink. The sprouts are a deep rose- 

 lilac in color while the flowers are usually 

 white. This one is not as prolific as some of 

 the later sorts, but is extremely early. 



Irish Cobbler 



This is a standard early variety and is the first 

 white skinned potato which appears on the 

 market. Thousands of acres are annually 

 grown and the yields usually run as high as 

 with the main crop varieties. The tubers are 

 roundish in shape, while the skin is creamy 

 white. The sprouts are tinged with magenta 

 but sometimes this color is absent. The 

 flowers are usually a light rose-purple, but 

 in hot weather are sometimes white. The 

 quality of the tuber is very high, and in the 

 opinion of many consumers there is none 



superior as a baking potato. AMERICAN GIANT (Natural Size) 



Prices of above varieties: (Note: Potato prices are postpaid with the exception of the pecks, which are sent express prepaid.) 

 Qt. 25c, Yi pk. 75c, pk. $1.25. As all potato prices are subject to change either upward or downward, we do not guarantee these 

 prices. For larger quantities prices may be had on application. 



59 



1st early, Early Rose; 2nd early, Irish Cobbler; 3d early, American Giant; late, Green Mountain 



