i)RTHERN STAR POTATO. 
! GAMBLING IN POTATOES. 
The speculation in certain new varieties of potatoes for seed purposes, notably the Northern 
Star — it being the product of a Scottish potato grower— has reached a remarkable stage. 
With the exception of what has at times been paid for new varieties of flowers, such extra- 
ordinary prices are probably unparalleled. In the spring, one of the best-known firms of seed 
merchants bought at the rate of £1,600 a ton. The resultant crop has not yet been harvested, 
but if the average result is attained the crop will probably be worth many hundreds of pounds. 
A correspondent of the Gardeners' Chronicle tells an interesting story. His employer 
purchased 2 lbs. of Northern Star from a Yorkshire grower, which came packed in wadding 
like peaches. They were first planted in a warm house, and as the shoots appeared above 
ground cuttings were taken off, 200 in all, and rooted. These were afterwards transferred to 
the open ground. From the original 2 lbs. no less than 420 lbs. has now been lifted, the 
largest potatoes being obtained from the cuttings . — Daily Mail. 
Ut no one of them so nearly approaches my ideal as this. It is a heavy cropper, of 
have ever known.” 
is particular Potato was limited last season, and in consequence of the scarcity the enormous price of 
ti Star Potato last year, and with a view of getting as large a return as possible for the original outlay, 
tjhat the system weakens the constitution of the Potato, and makes it an easier prey for disease. 
x)und as an ordinary field crop ; they were not raised in a greenhouse or under 
good Potato, and well deserving of a trial. It is a main crop, with a flattish round tuber and white 
:ommon thing to dig from 10 to 14 lbs. weight at a root, and as a well-known grower puts it — 
WELL, AND LOOKS WELL.” 
Packing and Carriage Free. Special Quotations for Large Quantities. 
For those who are only interested in getting as large a supply as 
possible from one planting, we illustrate by photograph the method or 
operation of cutting eyes. 
Fig. 2.— Single eye cut out, which 
is potttd and transplanted to the 
open ground in spring after start- 
ing into growth. 
