194 
Wealso grew five differently named Collards, and seven kales. 
Judging from the samples grown, the name Collards is a very in- 
definite term. One sample of seed, labeled Georgia collards, How- 
croft, ’85, produced plants three to four feet high that closely re- 
sembled the kale Branchu du Poitou, Vil., ’83. Another called 
Improved Marrowfat, Howeroft, ’85, grew to an equal height and 
was apparently the same as the Marrow-stemmed White kale, Ben., 
°99 A third sample called True Georgia, Sib.,’85, grew about two 
fect high, with the semblance of a head at the top of the stem. A 
sample called True Rosette Collard, or Colewort, Greg.,’85, grew but. 
fifteen inches high, and formed a beautiful rosette of spoon formed. 
leaves, which in a few of the plants embraced each other rather close- 
ly, forming a loose head. A sample called Southern, Land. ,’85, was 
too much mixed for description, scarcely two plants being alike. 
One plant formed a firm head, and was unquestionably a cabbage. 
The kales grown were apparently true to name, and distinct. 
BASELLA OR WHITE MaLaBar NigHTSHADE (Basella alba L). 
We grew this plant the past season for the first time. It has 
twining stems and very thick, tender, fleshy leaves, and is grown 
‘n France to some extent as a substitute for Spinach. The foliage 
possesses so. much succulency that a stem of it hung up in a dry 
room remained fresh and green for a fortnight. 
Cuou DE BURGHLEY. 
Soeds of this so-called new vegetable were sent us by Messrs. Vil- 
morin, Andrieux et Cie. It belongs to the cabbage family, and 
might be called a combination of Brussels sprouts and cabbage. It 
formed a large loose head at the top of the stem, and several small- 
er ones at the axils of the leaves. The latter were three to four 
‘nches in diameter, but were not very solid. 
GOURDS. 
We also grew thirty varieties and species of Cucurbiteae, other 
than the pumpkins, melons, squashes and cucumbers already noted. 
As many of these failed to ripen, and as they have little value ex- 
cept for ornament and as curiosities, we do not present them in tab- 
ular form. 
POTATOES. 
A Test of Varieties. 
We have continued our test of varieties uf the potato the past sea- 
son by planting the greater part of those previously grown, with 64 
sorts not before tested at the station; our whole list comprising 187 
varieties, or names of varieties. The test was made in two separate 
plantings. One planting of 116 varieties, including the sixty-four 
not previously tested was made in the station garden May Ist.* The 
tubers were cut to single eyes and the cuttings placed a foot apart in 
*Four exceptions in the date of planting are noted in the table. 

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