NORTH HADLEY, MASS. 
3 
sorts, cannot be kept until Winter without wasting almost entirely away with sprouting. 
But the tact that there are yearly large exports of Northern-grown potatoes to the Bermudas 
for seed is evidence enough that the Northern and Eastern-grown seed is better than any 
other.” 
Here is something that should command the careful attention of all who are desirous of 
making the potato crop a successful and paying one. 
The amount of starch that potatoes contain is one of the secrets of superiority of northern 
and eastern grown seed to any other. Vet it must not be understood that all northern grown 
potatoes are equally valuable for seed purposes, as there are quite a number of items to be 
considered in producing the best seed potatoes. 
The Experiment Stations seem to have settled two important questions in regard to pota- 
toes. First, that seed can be bred up in productiveness or can be run out, as it is called. 
Second, that the use of sulphate of potash to the exclusion of all other forms of potash tends 
to produce tubers with the maximum amount of starch in them. 
The importance of these facts to my customers and myself is that my choice seed stock is 
grown in strict conformity to these results. 
It is expensive work selecting the most productive hills from a lot of potatoes, but that is 
the way to breed up in productiveness, and is the way I have bred up my stock of different 
varieties. 
It is much more expensive growing potatoes on sulphate of potash than on muriate or 
other forms of potash, but this is the way my entire stock is grown. 
A larger crop can be secured on heavy land than on light land, generally speaking, or other 
things being equal, but my entire stock was grown on light land. 
It is the easiest thing in the world to mix up different varieties of potatoes, as I have found 
out to my sorrow, having several times bought high priced new varieties of reliable growers 
and dealers, and planted them expecting to have something valuable to offer to my customers 
the next year, but to my disappointment upon digging them I have found two or three dis- 
tinct varieties mixed, necessitating the throwing away of the entire lot as far as seed stock 
is concerned. On this point, I believe my stock to be as free as is possible from this fault, as 
I give personal attention to my planting and digging, having none grown out around as is the 
custom with the majority of seedsmen offering seed potatoes. I grow all the potatoes I sell, 
unless it is otherwise stated or in the case of the novelties which I procure direct from the 
introducers to insure purity. Giving my whole attention to the growing of seed potatoes I 
believe I can secure better results to my customers than others who divide up their energies 
between many things. 
Further in regard to the value of a certain lot of potatoes for planting purposes, they may 
be grown in accordance with the ideas already named and get greatly injured by improper 
storage during the winter. The art of keeping potatoes perfectly dormant from digging 
time to planting time, so that they can put their full vigor into the first sprouts which are to 
grow, is no insignificant thing. I believe my facilities for storage are as good as any to be 
found, and that my seed potatoes will give abundant satisfaction to those who use them. 
Awaiting your early commands, I am, yours faithfully, G. D. HOWE. 
MY ADVERTISERS. 
In regard to my advertisers I will say that it is an easy thing to get a lot of advertisements, 
but many persons who are the most desirous to advertise I would not admit to my pages at 
any price. I am very particular as to standing of the parties who appear as advertisers in 
my Manual and believe that they are all reliable and to be depended upon and have some- 
thing, withal, that is worth advertising. In this matter I believe I am doing my readers a 
favor in being the means of giving them the addresses of reliable firms. 
It will be a favor, doubly appreciated, by both the advertisers and myself if when answer- 
ing advertisements you will just mention “ Howe’s Potato Manual.” 
IMPORTANT ! 
How to Send Money.— The quickest way is by express money order or bank draft. P. O. 
money order or registered letters are good, but slow. U. S. Postage Stamps of any denomi- 
nation taken. Money order post office is NORTHAMPTON. Make all papers payable 
to the order of G. D. Howe. Postal notes are convenient, but no safer than loose cash in the 
letter, as they are payable to bearer. Individual checks will be taken, but I shall have to 
stop to collect them before filling the orders which they cover. 
