1876.3 
NEW VAEIETIES OF POTATOS. 
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some years ago, and recommended as a winter grape of sterling merit, but on this 
point I fear we have been misled, and in saying so I speak from some years’ trial 
of it. As it has proved to be not worth house-room, I intend to have it removed. 
—Alexander Cramb, Tortworth. 
NEW VAEIETIES OF POTATOS. 
; HE exhibitions of Potatos which have been held at the Alexandra Palace 
have stimulated the production of new varieties, and though we have now 
a great many in cultivation, there is yet room for improvement. The 
American raisers have given us a race of distinct large-cropping varieties 
that are, however, much wanting in recognised table quality ; while at home, 
Mr. Robert Fenn and others have introduced some new sorts that mark an im¬ 
portant advance, and are stepping-stones towards higher attainments. 
At the Potato Show at the Alexandra Palace on September 29, a jury of 
well-known Potato cultivators went over the new varieties and seedlings staged 
on that occasion, for the purpose of awarding certificates of merit to such as 
presented some appearance of novelty and distinctness of character, and the 
following varieties were selected for certificates:— Worthington G. Smith, a very 
handsome, first early, round variety, raised by Mr. Robert Fenn, and reported to 
be of fine table and cropping qualities ; perhaps the handsomest white round 
Potato yet produced. International Kidney, also one of Mr. Fenn’s seedlings, a 
large, smooth, and very handsome main-crop kidney ; a great cropper and of good 
table quality. Superior, a new American variety in the way of Brownell’s 
Vermont Beauty, but handsomer in shape, and smoother on the surface. Alexandra 
Kidney, a large white kidney, handsome in appearance, a medium strong-grow¬ 
ing variety, and said to be a good bearer. Garibaldi, a handsome red kidney, of 
large size and striking appearance, something like Bountiful Kidney, but 
distinct from it; the origin of this variety is unknown. Criterion, a handsome 
white round, like Bennett’s Schoolmaster in appearance, but earlier and of dwarfer 
growth, and excellent table quality ; this was raised by Mr. 0. Ross, Welford Park 
Gardens, Newbury. Conqueror, a very attractive Potato of the Victoria type, but 
much handsomer in shape than this well-known variety ; this was a seedling from 
the Victoria, raised by Mr. D. Lumsden, Bloxholm Hall Gardens. Lyds Favourite, 
a singularly handsome Potato, raised by Mr. J. Lye, Clyffe Hall Gardens, Devizes, 
the skin whitish-yellow, very smooth, and handsomely marked with rosy-red 
round the eyes ; a good cropper, early, and of excellent table quality. This last I 
take to be the best new Potato shown on this occasion. 
Other good-looking varieties not certificated were :— Radstock Beauty, something 
in the way of Lye’s Favourite, but flatter in shape, and handsomely blotched 
with red round the eyes, very promising as a cropper, and for its excellent table 
quality; and Purity, one of the Lapstone type, and as shown, not sufficiently 
distinct in appearance ; it was, however, strongly recommended by the raiser. 
Other newer Potatos of taking appearance were;— White Emperor, a handsome 
