1876. ] 
NOTES ON NEWER POTATOS. 
165 
of a first trial last season; it is a white kidney, second early, very handsome, a 
good cropper, and of fairly good quality. Alpha is too small and delicate for 
general cultivation, but last season was somewhat against it. It should be grown 
on early borders, in a light, rich soil. Of the new American varieties, a 
pale-red kidney, and the White Rose come to us with good reputations. 
Of the novelties among English varieties, a prominent position must be given 
to those raised by Mr. Fenn, of Woodstock. Their high-class quality as table 
varieties is universally acknowledged, but they require to be well cultivated, 
and want a rich soil. Rector of Woodstoclc and Early Market are both round 
varieties, the skin white ; Early White Kidney is a superior early garden variety ; 
white Bountiful is a red kidney, and very handsome in shape, white in the flesh, 
and a gi’eat cropper. Some splendid examples of this variety were brought from 
Scotland to the International Potato Show at the Alexandra Palace, which 
seemed to contradict the assertion that has been made, that Mr. Fenn’s varieties 
are too delicate for cultivation in the North. They are varieties that appear to 
improve by cultivation. 
There are a few new English varieties that have been distributed for the first 
time this spring, or will be distributed next autumn, that are worthy of notice. 
One of these is a seedling raised by Mr. J. Lye from the Bed Emperor, and pro¬ 
visionally named Beauty. This is round in shape, very handsome, with a 
white skin, and blotched with red at one end. Garibaldi is a handsome red 
kidney of good shape, something resembling Bountiful, but yet quite distinct 
from it, and of good quality. Magnum Bonmn is a handsome late kidney, a large 
cropper and a good keeper, and is highly commended. Schoolmaster is a white 
egg-shaped variety, handsome in appearance, and said to be of good quality. 
Lastly comes White Emperoi\ said to be a facsimile of the Red Emperor., but 
with a white skin. It is very handsome in appearance. 
Of good standard varieties that are as yet comparatively unknown, but which 
are well deserving cultivation, the following merit attention :— Excelsior Kidney., 
a very fine form of the Dawes’s Matchless type, and of fine table quality ; Waterloo 
Kidney., white, very distinct, handsome, and a great cropper; White Belgian 
Kidney., a first-class main-crop Potato ; Birmingham Blue., a second early round, 
pale purple in colour, flesh white, distinct and good; Scotch Blue., a handsome 
pebble-shaped, purple-skinned variety, with white flesh, and a good cropper ; and 
Blanchard., a new French variety, a strong grower and a large cropper, white 
skin, much flaked with purple round the eyes, good quality, and a handsome and 
distinct exhibition variety. 
It will thus be seen that novelties in Potatos are somewhat numerous. The 
various exhibitions of late years have done much to give an impetus to Potato- 
cultivation, and there is a probability that the present year will not close without 
witnessing the establishment of a .Potato Society, having for its object the en¬ 
couragement of the production of new and improved varieties, and the dissemina¬ 
tion of knowledge as to the best modes of culture.-r-RiCHAED Dean, Ealing., IF. 
