G. D. HOWE S POTATO MANUAL. 
27 
The idea is that iu drought there is very rapid evaporation of water 
from the soil, through capilary tubes, in about the same manner as 
oil passes through a wick as it is burned by the flame on top, and if 
these tubes are continually disturped the evaporation is checked. 
With these few thoughts on potatoes jotted down as they popped 
into the writer’s head, he hopes the reader is sufficiently interested 
in the culture of fine potatoes to, at least, try a few hills of a kind 
if nothing more, to see how much poorer or better a new variety can 
be than the old one. If the new one proves poorer, then you will 
appreciate the old standby better and think of it every time it comes 
onto the table, aud feel that the money invested to find out the value 
of the old was well spent ; but if the new variety proves a pleasant 
innovation, then you will be doubly pleased and satisfied with the 
trial. 
MISCELLANEOUS QUOTATIONS. 
In the $100 Prize Essay, edited by Eev. W. T. Wylie, there are 
these quotations from an experienced cultivator, viz. : 
“ Secure the best seed, even if it costs you two or five times as much 
as a common and less valuable sort.” “ Always get a new, improved 
variety, as soon as it has been tested and proved. Remember the 
profit is mainly made by the early cultivators. When it gets so 
common that you can buy cheap, you will have to sell cheap, too.’ 
Mr. Wylie in the same pamphlet gives the following. 
How to double your crop when you have new and rare kinds. — In an 
ordinary hot bed or cold frame, put six inches of good, loose, rich 
soil ; split your potato and lay it cut side down about three inches 
under the surface, when the sprouts are four or five iuches high, lift 
GOOD BOOKS. 
It is necessary for a gardner or farmer in order to keep up to the 
times, to read some good and standard books in his line of business 
in addition to his favorite agricultural paper. These books are apt 
to be the life long experiences of shrewd, successful and hardwork- 
ing men, and you can get your money’s worth out of any of them. 
I will supply you with any book you want, if not sold by subscrip- 
tion, at 10 per cent, discount from the publishers’ regular price. Be 
sure and give the name and price of book, its author and publishers. 
If you want books on a certain subject and don’t know of a book 
that just fills the bill, let me know your wants and perhaps I can help 
you. 
