362 



NOTES ON POTATOES IN OHIO. 



BY A. B. BUTTLES, COLUMBUS, O. 



Owin^ to a protracted drouth, which has lasted 

 from about the 20th of June to the present time, 

 the season has proved very unfavorable for the po- 

 tato, in this part of the country. Owing to a pro- 

 per selection of varieties, deep plowing, and good 

 cultivation, I succeeded in growing on 32 acres, 

 about 3000 bushels, which is about one-half the 

 yield I should have counted upon in a favorable 

 season. Quite a number of experiments were 

 carried on, as to varieties, size of seeds, methods of 

 planting and cultivation, manures, &c., which the 

 dry season has rendered comparatively valueless ; 

 still, I furnish you a few notes as to some of the 

 new varieties. 



Harison. This splendid potato" has proved first- 

 class in every respect, and has yielded more than 

 any other out of sixty-two varieties, cultivated this 

 season. Half an acre, in drills three feet apart, 

 single eye sets every ten inches, manured with 120 

 lbs., Coe's Superphosphate yielded 104J bushels, 

 and with suitable rains, I am certain the yield 

 would have been 400 bushels to the acre. There 

 was no appearance of disease in either vine or 

 tuber. 



Early Goodrich, has fully maintained ts reputa- 

 tion as the best early potato grown ; yield on best 

 half acre 72 bushels, with same treatment as half 

 acre of Harison given above. Matured earlier than 

 White Sprout, Early June, Early Sevens, or Early 

 Sovereign, but not quite so early as the Early 

 Sehec. The latter has proved a most excellent pota- 

 to for the table, but is not near so handsome and 

 prolific as the Early Groodrich and therefore is not 

 so valuable for market. 



Orono. This new variety, so highly extolled at 

 Agricultural Department in Washington, has turned 

 out exceedingly well. It is large, white flesh and 

 skin, superior quality for the table, and free from 

 disease or rot ; not so good shaped, and rougher 

 than Harison or Early Goodrich. One and a quar 

 ter acres yielded one hundred and sixty bushels. 



Cuzco. Last season, which was a very wet one 

 the Cuzco yielded enormously, and was almost en 

 tirely free from rot, keeping well and improving in 

 quality until spring. This season, the yield has 

 been moderate, the tubers very bad shaped and 

 rough, with as much or more rot than any other of 

 the many sorts cultivated. Per- contra the Calico, 

 which was comparatively poor last year, has been 

 this season unusually fine in quality, yield and ap- 

 pearance, seeming to luxuriate in a dry, rather than 

 a wet se ai^on. 



Monitor. This large and coarse potato, procured 

 two years ago from Philadelphia, at a large price, 

 proved the same as a sort common here, called the 

 Shotwell, which is identical with the Prairie Seed- 

 hng of Illinois, and I am incHned to think the ^ 

 Shaker Fancy will prove to be one and the same. 



Gleason, Garnet Chili, and Pink-eye Rusty Coat 

 have maintained their reputation, as amongst the 

 best of Goodrich's earlier seedlings. 



The New White Peach Blow has proved a very 

 fine potato, both in yield and quality and may be 

 said to be "rot proof." Early York extensively 

 advertised as something new, last year, has turned 

 out to be the Buckeye, which is still a valuable me- 

 dium, early variety. The famous "Patterson's 

 English seedlings" and other English varieties, 

 sent out by B. K. Bliss the past season, have fallen 

 very far short of the high position claimed for them. 

 This may be owing to the fact that the seed sent 

 were "small potatoes," indeed, and entirely unfit 

 for planting. 



AT KNOX'S AND ALONG THE SOUTH 

 SHORE. 



BY M. H. L., SANDUSKY, OHIO. 



[Continued from page 331.) 

 At the time of our visit currant cuttings of the 

 White Grrape were being made and set. These 

 then get fairly rooted before winter sets in. But 

 we tire the reader. In fine, at Knox's there is 

 everywhere thrift, and everywhere careful culture. 

 If any variety succeeds with him by good husbandry, 

 he plants more largely, is more painstaking, and har- 

 vests a greater success. 



Most hoe and dig in the garden, but give over 

 their fields to the horse and plow. Knox hoes and 

 digs in his garden of an acre, and no less in this 

 great Fruit -Grarden of 160 acres. 



At North East, Aug., 27th, there was a large 

 gathering ©f the Lake Shore Grape Growers. Let 

 it be noted that the good people of North East 

 throw wide open the doors of their hearts and their 

 houses to him who grows or loves the vine. Their 

 public table at the Wine House amply provided 

 meat and wine for 300 guests. 



At the discussion which followed this splendid 

 collation, attention was specially given to reports 

 upon the promise of the grape in all the regions 

 represented. An evening session continued these 

 reports, and we purpose simply to give the gist of 

 all that was said and observed, without reference to 

 the sequence of the proceedings here or elsewhere 

 along the Lake Shore. 



Mr. William Saunders, of the Government Gar- 



