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THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
November 14. 
It has been said above, that a south border is best for 
this crop; it is also proper to observe, that the seed 
ought to be sowu thicker than is usually done at other 
times, and the amateur who is at a loss to know which 
of the many kinds a seedsman’s list contains to sow, 
had better confine himself to one or two well-known 
kinds, as the Early Kent, Sangster’s Number One, or 
Emperor, as they are all good, and more likely to be 
genuine than some having newer names; drills, or 
rows about four feet apart, will do very well for this 
early season, and but little attention is required after 
they are sown, save to see that no depredators come in 
the way; but these are most troublesome just as the 
Peas are coming up—even mice seem to prefer them at 
that state. The protection that may be necessary to 
give them at a later period will be noticed then; 
suffice it to say, that they are never safe from such 
enemies as those mentioned above until they are nearly 
in flower, and then only between that period and that of 
producing pods ; for the latter often become the prey of 
one of the enemies of the seedling plant,—birds; but 
the remedy in both cases is the same. 
J. Robson. 
THE FLUKE POTATO. 
1 am glad to see, from repeated reports in your paper, that 
this valuable variety is at last becoming properly appreciated 
by the public throughout the country; and as it is too 
generally considered a very new variety, I think that a brief 
sketch of its history may be acceptable to your readers. 
^ It is admitted to have been raised by a poor cottager, J. 
Iurner, residing at Middleton, near Manchester, and it is 
gratifying to know, that the gentry and farmers in that 
neighbourhood have rewarded the successful grower by a 
testimonial handsomely subscribed to. It is now some eight 
or ten years since the variety was raised, and it has slowly, 
but surely, been making its way all over the country. The 
Scotch farmers were amongst the first to discover its value ; 
some few sets being sent as a present to the Land of 
Cakes, brought a host of buyers the following season. I 
well remember, about four years ago, that I had great 
difficulty in obtaining sets, owing to the Scotch farmers 
having made a clearance of all in the neighbourhood, at 
from Tl 2s. to Tl 10s. per load. It has found its way to 
the southward more slowly; for though I offered to make 
presents of sets to two or three of the leading seedsmen in 
the south, they declined, with thanks, as it was not con¬ 
sidered that the produce would be saleable to their customers. 
T he Potato in question is supposed to be a cross between 
the Lnpstone Kidney and the Pink-eye, and is remarkable for 
its singular shape of a flattened oval, frequently eight or 
nine inches long, and two to three inches thick ; the peel is 
thin, and remarkably free from eyes; the foliage of a very 
daik green; it is very hardy:—I do not consider it very 
excitable, and should not recommend it for early forcing; 
indeed, it is considered a late Potato, and it is found to 
cook better after Christmas than before. Many farmers do 
not offer their stores of it for sale until February. The sets 
must be planted whole, and it has hitherto been found to 
have escaped the disease ; where it has been attacked has 
been m the vicinity of other diseased crops, or from parties 
using their own sets on the same ground. And, lastly, let 
me recommend your readers who love a mealy Potato 
roasted in its jacket, to try the Fluke in that way, and they 
will at once own its supremacy.—W. X. W. 
[We hear, from another source, that Turner gave the 
stock to a friend, who increased it, and large quantities were 
grown by the neighbouring cottagers for their own use, 
which excited the attention of the farmers. In 1847 the 
farmers planted a few—these did so well that they were 
generally saved for seed, and in the spring of 1848 they 
were found so sound in the pits, that they were planted in 
increased quantity, and gave general satisfaction, both in 
produce and quality—having been found to resist the disease 
is a great measure, when all other sorts around were a 
complete failure. In 1851 they were purchased up for 
seed, and in the spring of 1852 the price for seed advanced 
from T1 10s. to £2 per load of 552 lbs., at which price 
all were sold. In 1853, in Lancashire, where they were very 
extensively grown, as also in the neighbouring districts, 
they maintained their superiority and celebrity for yield, 
quality, and freedom from disease; and at the Ratcliffe 
Agricultural Society's meeting a sample was exhibited, not 
for competition, but so much were they admired and 
approved, that the committee awarded a silver medal, value 
£5., to old John Turner, by whom they were raised. The 
money subscribed for him exceeded T100, with which an 
annuity was purchased ; but he lived to enjoy it no more 
than a few months.] 
DEVON AND CORNWALL POULTRY SHOW. 
This was held at Plympton, in connection with the South 
Hams Agricultural Society’s Exhibition, on the 3rd instant. ! 
There were 154 pens. The Fucks and Forkings were par¬ 
ticularly good. Many pens were sold. The Exhibition was 
visited by some thousands of persons. The whole of the 
birds were sent off the night of the show day. A great deal 1 
of the success is due to the indefatigable manner in which 
the chief arrangements had been carried out by the honorary 
secretary, Mr. William Hunt. 
THE PRIZE LIST. 
Judges for Poultry, Ac.—Chas. Ballance, Esq.,Taunton ; 
W. W. Rowe, Esq., Milton Abbot, Devon; A. P. Prowse, 
Esq., Plymouth. 
Specially for Pigeons— D. Matthews, Esq., Plymouth. 
Dorking.— For the best Cock and two Hens.—First prize, Mr. Richard 
Branwell, solicitor, Holsworth, Devon. (Coloured.) Second prize, Mrs. 
Seale, Blackawton, Totnes, Devon. (White.) 
Dorking Chicken. —Best pen of three Chicken of 1854.—First prize, 
Mr. John R. Rodbard, Aldwick Court, Langford, near Bristol, Somerset. 
Highly Commended.. —Mi. Richard Branwell, solicitor, Holswortliy, 
Devon. (Coloured.) Commended.— Mr. Edward H, Scobcll, Abbey 
Mead, Tavistock. (Coloured.) Mr. Henry Holman, Mannamead, Ply¬ 
mouth. (White.) 
Spanish. —For the bestCockand two Hens.—First prize, Mr. Richard 
Branwell, solicitor, Holsworthy, Devon. Second prize, Mr. B. J. Ford, 
Ide, near Exeter. 
For best Pen of Chicken of 1854.—First prize, Capt. H. M. 
Ellicombe, R.N., Cumberland Cottage, Exeter, Devon. 
Buff or Cinnamon Shangiiae.— For best Cock and two Hens.— 
First prize, Mr. S. C. Parkhouse, Bedford-street, Plymouth, Devon. 
Second prize, Mr. S. C. Parkhouse, Bedford-street, Plymouth, Devon. 
Highly Commended. —Mr. R. E. Moore, Pennycomequick, Plymouth, 
Devon. 
For tiie best pen of three Chicken of 1854.—A prize, Mr. S. C. 
Parkhouse, Bedford-street, Plymouth, Devon. Highly Commended. — 
Mr. R. Edward Moore, Pennycomequick, Plymouth, Devon. Com¬ 
mended.— For two Pens.—Mr. Henry Lucas Bean, Ashcott, Glastonbury, 
Somerset. 
Partridge Shangiiae. — For the best Cock and two Hens. — First 
prize withheld. Second prize, Mr. B. J. Ford, Ide, near Exeter. 
Partridge or Dark Shangiiae.— For the best pen of Chicken of 
1854—A prize, Mr. R. Edward Moore, Pennycomequick, Plymouth. 
Malay. —For the best Cock and two Hens.—First prize, Miss Fanny 
McDonald, Lympstone, Devon. Second prize, Mr. William Hunt, 
Caroline-place, Stonehouse, Devon. 
For the best pen of Chicken of 1854.—First prize, Mrs. Isaac 
Kent, Caroline-place, Stonehouse. Highly Commended. —Mr. William 
Hunt, Caroline-place, Stonehouse. 
Rf.d Game.— For the best Cock and two Hens.—First prize, Mr. 
William J. Little, Anderton House, Cornwall. 
Red Game Chicken.— For the best pen of three Chicken of 1854-5. 
—Prize, Mr. Robert Baker, Ermington, Devon. Highly Commended. — 
Mr. Paul Ourry Trcby, Goodamoor, Plympton. (Black-red.) Prize, Mr. 
John R. Rodbard, Aldivick Court, Langford, near Bristol, Somerset. 
(Black-red.) 
Gray Game. —For the best Cock and tw'o Hens.—First prize, Mr. 
William Greenwood, Fore-street, Devonport. Second prize, Mr. W. J. 
Little, Anderton House, Cornwall. 
For tiie best pen of Chicken of 1854-5. — Prize, Rev. Charles 
Thomas James, the Vicarage, Ermington, Devon. Commended. —Mr. 
William J. Little, Anderton House, Cornwall. 
Other Game.— For the best Cock and two Hens.—First prize with¬ 
held. Second prize, Mr. Paul Ourry Treby, Goodamoor, Plympton. 
(Pyles.) 
For the best tiiree Chicken for 1854-5.—Prize, Mr. Taul Ourry 
Treby, Goodamoor, Plympton. (Pyles.) 
Silver-pencilled II amburgii.— For the best Cock and two Hens. 
—First prize, Mr. Francis Henry Aberdeen, Honiton, Devon. Second 
prize, Mr. Charles Richard Titterton, Snow Hill, Birmingham. Com- 
mended. —Mr. James E. Marshall, Belmont, Taunton, Somerset. 
