120 
SEED POTATOES. 
THE ADVANTAGES OF PLANTING A RELIABLE CHANGE. 
It is generally admitted that one of the most fruitful elements of the potato disease is supplied by a 
repeated growth year after year of the same stock of potatoes on the same land. 
Another danger frequently recurring is the gradual undermining of the constitution of the potato by 
injudicious selection, alternately resulting in a weaky impoverished stock that too readily succumbs to the 
earliest attacks of the potato murrain. 
Too much importance cannot be attached to this subject, and a change of seed is positively 
essential if a thoroughly reliable and superior crop is expected. 
Our Stocks have been grown and selected with the utmost vi 'lance, and unde ■ normal conditions 
of soil and situation will produce first-class crops. 
Our crops are especially grown for seed purposes, th; t to say, they are not over-fed for the sake of 
producing enormous tubers. They are kept true to name and description, and are not lifted until thoroughly 
ripe. 
We go to this trouble and expense with a view to make our potatoes as disease resisting as the 
season will permit. 
We grow potatoes in England and Scotland, on the chalk in Kent, on the sand in Bedfordshire, 
on the rich warp-lands in Lincolnshire, so that we possess the advantages of supplying a distinct change of 
seed to every customer. 
We do not list several of the rank-growing new varieties which need too much space in ordinary 
gardens, neither do we catalogue others in which we can find no merits. 
One of the constantly recurring questions put to us by our customers each year, is “which may 
be considered the best varieties of potatoes for First Early, Mid-d eason and Main Crop, respectively ? ” 
To answer this, it would be necessary to be acquainted with the characteristics of the soil in every garden and 
the tastes of every grower. Some potatoes take more kindly to a particular soil than others, but those 
who have tried several of our well-known varieties have proved which potato suits their soil and culinary 
requirements, and acting on the axiom of “ find a friend to keep a friend, ” continue to grow the same variety 
year after year. 
This practice is a good one providing that a constant change of -eed tubers is maintained, though it 
tends to increase the list of popular varieties from the number of winch it is difficult to make a selection of 
the best. 
Many years of close observation, however, of potato culture under varying soil and climatic conditions, 
together with the results of our own trials at Raynes Park and Forest Hill, and the confirmatory reports we 
receive from time to time from customers in all parts of the country, have enabled us to mention the three 
undermentioned varieties as the best and most suitable for general purposes. 
THREE BEST POTATOES. 
First Early. — “ Carters Early Favourite.” Award of Merit, R.H.S. (Seepage 122.) 
Mid-Season. — “Carters Royalty.” Awarded Silver Medal for best white potato at the National 
Show. (Seepage 124. ) 
Main Crop. — “Carters Longkeeper.” Award of Merit, R.H.S. (Seepage 127.) 
(Particulars and prices will be found on the following pages.) 
CARTERS HAND-PICKED SEED POTATOES. 
During March and April our season’s supplies become much reduced, and we are 
often quite sold out of particular varieties. It is always our endeavour to send some- 
thing likely to give satisfaction in place of any we may not have available. 
Correspondence , RAYNF.S PARR, Z. ON DON , S.IV. '1012. 
