r*"" y* |ii It /to PRIZE ESSAY ON Prize offered TO HOW by W. T. WYLIE THE and awarded THE COOK Furnished SLOT. PRICE, 25 CENTS. New- York JUDD S. W. H. COMPTON. POTATO, by frof. ILLUSTRATED. No. to D. 245 : " CO., BROADWAY. Green, Printer and Stereotyper,1G and 18 Jacob Street,New-York. OP Division Range Shelf. Received . THE 7 d ESSAY PRIZE CULTIVATION. ITS AND POTATO $100. in by committee a composed of the Associate Editor of American a as conditions of the Potato, under Cultivation awarded Essay on the then published; the prizeto be followinggentlemen, well known $100 1868, I offered the fall of IN prizefor best the circles : agricultural C. WELD, MASON Colonel cultivation the made has who HEXAMER, Dr. F. M. and of the Hearth Editor Associate works, and cultural of several horti- J.,the popular author N. Esq., of Ridgewood, A. S. FULLER, Agriculturist. Home. of the potato a special study. awarded the prizeto D. January, 1870, the committee Compton ; and this Essay is herewith submitted to the public in the hope and successful cultivation of the Potato. intelligent stimulatinga more W. T. WYLIE. PA., January, 1870. BELLEFONTE, A. of of month the In CULTURE. POTATO BY best adapted Potato proved have to the be to productionof the by and holds the plow, early youth, been himself who one to has, since his who engaged in Throughout agriOFFICE which statements the.results of many experimentsmade theories, test as many crop. It is written country our THE OF the Northern REV. W. T. WYLIE your their brevity,and and were Wayne as a well : DEAR SIR numbered announcement, others were : The about AMERICAN worthy In behalf the liberal of the to be submitted Several exceedinglyincomplete. worthy of careful consideration. County, Pa., was, in the opinionof practicaltreatise,sure essays twenty. of prizeoffered use to That your of to About D. " AGRICULTURIST, January, 1870. S by Mr. Bliss, according us could Mr. States of the potato is the third of NEW-YORK, to branches, to pursuits, of other in appear based are the following pages upon actual personal experience, and are The experience of culture which observation and exclusion detail, of present, with minuteness to that mode the culture in its various this little treatise is designof THE PENNSYLVANIA. HAWLEY, COMPTON, A. D. not be called essays from twelve, however, required A. Compton, of Hawley, committee, decidedlysuperiorto the others potato-growers in every part of the country, and by yourself. committee, sincerely yours, MASON C. WELD, Chairman. Culture. Potato the staplearticles of three be regarded knowledge the use, adapted to to objectof instruct the novice of " he this essay is so in potato-growing enabled be may to go understandinglyand produce potato in its highest perfection, work the his labors realize from and on porous of the the farmers to the crop the greatest produce ground bestowed possibleprofits. ITS PliEPARA- must be quality, dry, deep, and be remembered humus in the soil. added to too get much is Humus arable land usually by plowing either crops, such green it is large crops, very impossibleto as clover, buckwheat, peas, etc., or by drawing and working in muck obtained from and low places. swamps The muck should be drawn the to field in fall or winter,and small the action of frost. heaps to exposed followingspring,sufficient be mixed should REQUIRED" ill-flavored. and of the best almost under riably inva- are roots obtain that,to the SOIL tubers and itshould ; in favorable obtained be but the coarse-fleshed To the States. main that rough tho- of soil best character highestimportance to a of the best varieties matters after-care, the United soil may seasons, vation their growth, their culti- and The such It to as nearly indispensable. as fact is sufficient to render This for food. universal esteem is held in such in In lime with it to neutralize acid,(whichis found in nearlyall the whole be muck,) and spread is surface into The and worked the most profitably evenly potato in cultivator. or a or dry,sandy, warm, velly with harrow gragrown with Leaves well filled from the loam, decayed woods, buckwheat famous The vegetable matters. tato straw, bean, pea, and hop vines,etc., polands of Lake County, Ohio, plowed under long enough before such from which vast quantitiesof planting to allow them time to rot, are low are very beneficial. Sea-weed, when yelshipped yearly, potatoes are district is bountifully This sand. applied,and turned under potato in has no the confined to fall, superioras a ridges running parallel early No with Lake for the potato. stable or manure Erie,'which,according to should each be have at manure indications, applied barn-yard geological If such different periods defined its boundaries. this crop. to nitrogenous the TION. of its tato-growing must manure potary is better to to the sedimenqualities This sand owes be much depositof the lake and furnished ral properties by of the shells of to manu- position the decom- crop, year to the ters. wa- apply be use the predisposes detracts very succeeding of stable tubers to rot ; the desired from flavor; besides, generallynot New lands, or lands nuded than recentlyde- if sufficiently of the forest, dry, tubers of the most produce quality. excellent grown one half per acre as many as of soil,it other some the The much the on it to followed by potatoes. water-snails,manure shell-fish, etc., that inhabited used can bushels more can be obtained be by different nature. a using manures of whom land, Market dry, new gardeners,many the cooks and same the potato from on dry necessityplant always mealy, and possesses an agreeable ground year after year, often use fine with profit. Usually flavor and aroma, not to be attained old stable manure ties, variesoil earlier in older soils. In no argillaceous they plant only the can as Grown on with all possible crowd them perfection and sell large and regardsquality.Large crops on speed,dig early, the potato be grown to Potato Culture. they have time to rot, clover-sod,is potato ground first-class in all respects. thus clearing the ground for laterThus It is hardly supposable that this grown, growing vegetables. of preparation of soil would mode of inferior quality,and potatoes are with all farmers. favor among meet the yield is not always satisfactory. vators thought There is a parsimoniousclass of cultiFlavor, however, is seldom who would consider it a downof our right of by the hungry denizens loss of time, seed, and in their eagerness to get a taste labor; cities, but any one will take the trouwho of something fresh. ble will find that these to investigate, Market gardeners will find great same benefit from the use never of wood-ashes, parsimoniousmen ced produfour hundred bushels of potatoes lime, and the phosphates. Sprinkle superphosphatein the hill at the rate ; and that the few bushels of per acre of two hundred pounds per acre ; small tubers that they do dig from mix it slightly in the soil with an iron an produced at considerable acre, are rake or potato-hook,then plant the loss. Men do not gather grapes seed. Just before the last hoeing, from thorns,nor figsfrom thistles." and To make around the hill a sprinkle on potato-growingprofitable in these times of high pricesof land large handful of wood-ashes, or an and labor, it is absolutelynecessary equalquantityof lime slacked in brine little before " as strong But as salt will make for the that the it. of generality farmers, those who grow only their own ply, supthose who or produce largelyfor of preparing market, no other method the soil is so good, so easy, and so cheap as the following; it requires time,but pays a big interest : Seed down the ground to clover with wheat As oats. the grainis off, or soon as hundred and fifty one sow pounds of plaster(gypsum) per acre, and keep off all stock. The the clover has made next when spring, of to meet soil be any in every fitted way all demands of the and crop. It is said that in the State of Maine, of the previous to the appearance a nd before the soilhad potato disease, become exhausted by continued cropping, potatoes yielded an average of four hundred every bushels per is aware yield present average vegetableis much it Now, acre. observer that of less than the the same half what ration formerly. This great deteriobe attributed not can yield rieties running out of varieties ; for va- was in growth inches,sow the same quantity of plaster to which have extant are again.About the tenth of July,harrow not yet down the clover,drivingthe same their rection dibe not passed prime. It can and on the same sized lands you wholly due to disease;for disease does wish to plow ; then plow the clover in every not and in occur season inches deep. every place. True, we have more sects inneatlyunder about seven Harrow down the same than formerly,but they can it was not way be responsible for all the great falling and plowed, and immediately sow harrow in two bushels of buckwheat off. It istraceable mainly to poverty it has grown When of the soil in certain ingredients acre. peratively imtwo per before needed the its as and for inches, sow plaster by ; crop when the buckwheat best development, and to the pernihas grown as cious effect of enrichingwith nitrogedown and large as it will, harrow nous who will manures. plow under about five inches deep. Any one This,when cross-plowedin the spring plant on suitablydry soil,enriched sufficiently deep to bring up the only with forest-leaves, sea-weeds,or a two " " Potato by plowing under soil to whole the green completelyfilled depth is proper with vegetablematter, a yet be grown can until his satisfaction that will find to the potato crops Cttlture. in all its vigorand productiveness. pristine realize from To ' greatest are what potato-growingthe possibleprofits, (and profits we all after,) the following are conditions one acre three,he It costs acre acre the no formerlydid more to from gainer. cultivate an of rich,productiveland than an of poor, unproductiveland ; and pleasureand profitof harvesting crop that husbandman a are he as is stilllargelythe so abundantlyrewards for his and care overwhelminglyin the labor favor of adhered rich land as to need strictly no comment. with to : First,the ground chosen Besides,manuring green crops is not transitory be dry,either naturallyor made in its effects ; the land must the generous treatment so for by thorough drainage; a gently remembers sloping,deep, sandy or gravellyloam many years, and if at times lime or ashes be added is preferable.Second,the land should to assist decomposition, will continue to yieldremuneraenriched with humus be liberally tive by after land but once of the means mentioned, if it is some crops long treated with stable manure cient or not alreadypresent in the soil in suffiguano fails soil should and the but to weeds. produce thing quantities, any be deeply and thoroughly plowed, The skinningprocess, the takingoff of every thing grown the soil and on verulent, rendering it light,porous, and puland moisture that the air returningnothing to it, is ruinous alike to farm and farmer. desirable Thousands to easily penetrate any may of in of be found various it and can a proper acres depth of ; quantity parts either wood-ashes or lime, or both, of the country too poor to pay for without mixed with common salt,should be manuring. Of cultivating into the surface before the capabilities harrowed of their lands under of the the owners be thereof treatment on applied planting,or top proper idea whatever. have hillsimmediatelyafter planting.And, Such no men cultivation and after-care make the not can nure enough mafinally, say they the farm and are should be prompt, and given as soon on too as poor conducive needed. to buy. Nothing is more Why not, then, commence after the crop is properly plowing under green crops, the only to failure, within easy reach ? failure in promptness in If fifty than manure planted, under the first not be turned the cultivation and care can acres required. must be year, put at least one which will help feed the REMARKS GENERAL WITH GREEN Experienceproves ON MANURING CROPS. that no better be contented corn per acre, hundred may eightor twelve acre under, rest. Why thirtybushels of when eighty or one be had ? Why raise with bushels of wheat per fortymay as well be had ? adopted to bring up acre, when half-ton of hay per which but cut lands partially one are mote reexhausted, Why allow at than plowing under from cities, acre, when the laws of nature three? this farmer least the precious spend Why plan By green crops. els take lot after lot,and soon can bring time diggingonly one hundred bushwith when of of all up state to a fertility. high potatoes per acre, culture and three four or True, he gathersno crop for one year, proper care hundred but the outlayis little; and if in the easily be obtained? may from second year he gathersas much And, finally, why toil and sweat, and method can be Potato amount ten grow, can grow, may toil and beasts thirtyacres cultivating of produce that should sweat, on dumb the poor have for the has and time wheat of forsaken sidepoorest, most and knolls, if the hills,cobble-hills, The Department at for the year 1866, the in some of these States and rate ing ; but accord- per acre the statisticsgiven by the to culcural grown the produced at was fortybushels grow, ? acres Culture. half -a evident AgriWashington, yield average but was four bushels It is per acre. this that Mr. Skinflint from depth, gravelbe has had thingspretty much his own rather subsoil retentive, a by His land now under produces four and way. green crops grow by turning half bushels per acre time a ; what potatoes of the first quality. If land take, shall elapsewhen it shall be four and be so poor that clover will not sand of moderate or underlaid sometimes is as seed case, spring,and thirtybushels of wood-ashes, or hundred pounds of guano per then the sow to millet very early in the harrow in with the millet with clover the clover-seed at two hundred acre as soon will not the clover Before a day be of value fail in fair foothold per pleted. com- giving the soil. on the millet blossoms, cut of the west New-Jersey,with extensive over dare acres inferior to peck one pounds of gypsum 'as the bushing is This per bushel ? Who will not at predictthat manure acre; be can guano reasonable price,sow a half nies ? two per acre ; brush it in. If neither ashes nor obtained one tains conIllinois, that yearlyyield' tracts of average forty-three ; and the per acre, the State is over the yieldof ihe average little Illinois is but per States,where thirty-one over the In acre. potatoes in cereal same are Western tensively ex- grown markets, the for Southern and of Indian bushels while corn bushels Alleghasoil naturally a of that hundred one some hay. Keep all stock off average yieldis about eightybushels the clover, plasterit the" following per acre ; while in old Pennsylvania the last year potatoes in full could be shown spring,plow it under when buckwheat bloom ; sow immediately; yieldingat the rate of six hundred and There are when plaster;when in full forty bushels per acre. up, sow is that who and the those manure sow bloom, plow under argue is that with be plant-food to never necessary ground immediately rye, in abundance sphere Thus by the atmo.supplied plowed under the next May. it for cure " said a certain also once are ; it was put under within a crops live his horse had to taught year, the ground is left strong, light, man without free from eating; but it so happened weeds, ready to porous, three most large crop of potatoes, or alany thing else. ing is gained every way by havMuch and keeping land in a high state of fertility. Some require so crops for growth, that high long a season condition of soil is absolutely sary necesto carry them rity through to matua grow In in time to escape autumnal Western States manure hitherto been " frosts. the value. The considered soil of these originally very has States a he got the animal Good, thorough of the aeration toward much fectly per- but the soil cultivation mere and undoubtedly do productionof manipulationis not crops ; all that is needed. That growing plants from nourishment and in that the draw much atmosphere, tuents appropriatelargelyof its consti- building up true certainly was For just as schooled, it died. little of but rich in humus. that ; it is also is tissue, t rue certainly their they requiresomething of the Culture. Potato soil besides go needed by anchorage. mere show to if the that the All facts constituents the soil plantfrom are abortive ? to What move farmer sane load heavy a pects ex- over so rugged road with a team that and poverty-stricken they but faint shadow a sanitywhen nearer be to is he Yet ? a pleasant move aright,unless is strong and Is fat ? when he thinks he sane he second A in the under kinds,and a perfectly market well. To planting early clover sod turned in the spring,for the answer varieties, very flat furrows,take turn furrow-slice wide fall necessary. clover plowed fall for late of potatoes crop be of clean should alreadyin high not growth cast his land thingsto land is in flat furrows much for each condition, it may lean lie expects farming and and profitable, of buckwheat one under where ; the efforts of present in the soil, the plant toward proper development not are clover and be turned enough completely inside to the the have it preceding one. should Potatoes be planted ground ; farm and rapid deterioration finally year after year, and not ? The farmer on of qualityand quantityof tuto the bone bers come exhausted land must of necessity render the crop unprofitasoon use ble. Manure of so?ne kind must soil manure. planted continuously Loamy becomes soon heavy, and compact, go under, or he must go under; and lifeless. Where the great mass of cultivators no of necessity to potatoes" of enrichingis so feasible, mode be grown must so yearlyon the same it is advisable to dig rather early, factory soil, cheap, and attended with such satisof that and as der plowing unresults, bury the vines of each hill in the last dug ; then harrow one level,and green crops. ed The old plan of leavingan exhaustbe under sow next plowed rye to farm, and going West in search of plantingtime. rich The be farmer, who intelligent government land,"must soon grows abandoned. Already the head of the largecrops for market, will always so skin can his year after year on trouble with weeds not the same " of land-hunters column up" against the " fetched Pacific,and it is gaze for potatoes. will discover any desirable its waters. over unoccupied soil writer would The as sayingthat be understood not all farms is there are them lands to the owner, process by subjecting indicated,such of the bring good crops consideration. And under that land yield the to returns a in the proper kind condition maximum Why the arguing that a crop of in many, the breed is in by this is certainly need rendered character them just what their best the development; rich,light,and such weeds, that land is rather otherwise,and season and the cents at and soil is porous, tivation the cul- so of wheat buck- and strongly urged is, for free from of production. clover in have tubers healthiest potatoes, crop grow other crops equally of the Neither would the writer be understood dollars as for their clover, or lands, are so than year certain extent, yet itis undeniable that in potato-growingsuccess lands so " each on a soil chosen to of condition It is said failure is in the or further, and is fitted to well. to untrue poor, sandy,or gravelly such found, which bringbut small are high clover-sod a regard to swine,that the trough ;" though no crops. is,that where lands in ed, exhaust- peration way of recubut by plowing under green understood What he wishes that or have to as arrange dry land their anxious whether doubtful have a sure plea- the close tangibleprofitsin are highly gratifying. Potato C standard VARIETIES. From fact the that produce bushels of potatoes supposed be 109,000,000 annually,it might would be cultivated. is not the Of fact. Such, however, the few comparatively varieties are tant, ex- the fact that for earlyvarieties has in the wood-ashes,common plasteronly,it will produce hundred two ordinary seasons The The Cowhorn, said to of sound, merchantable acre tubers,that will always command qualitythe Early June is very early, but its quality is quite indifferent. The is early, attains Cherry Blow and yieldsrather well. In good size, qualityit is poor. The Early Kidney, to as quality,is good, but will not yield enough to pay for cultivation. ones. hill with bushels per established inferior to the late are whole in many sections is abandoned. rather poor, sandy soil, manured On in Every of the and extensively. salt, grown grower's observation of excellence potato family. But it yieldsrather to rot, except poorly,and its liability soils especially fitted for it,has so on tion discouraged growers that its cultiva- varieties great many a United the about States 7 the highestmarket cultivated will and for a price. Any potato long series'of years graduallybecome better in quality; finer in texture but its liability disease will also be to As ed. greatlyincreasit of this, will be instance an remembered that when Merino the California varieties and troduced, first in- were so coarse to as they were fit feed and thought only to hogs, be the Mexican quiteearly,of first quality, be for this purpose, on of their account gan Michiyieldsvery poorly. The farmers tinued conWhite rather proSprout is early, ductive,great yieldingqualities, to cultivate them, until finally and good. Jackson White is became so in qualityquitegood, is early,and changed as in many they sections to be preferredfor the table. nitor a favorite in some places. The MoTheir however, is now israther early, cultivation, yieldslargecrops ; its qualityis below but as it nearlyabandoned. par, the Garnet Of the later varieties, low in Philmarket. brings a price brick's Early White of the is one Chili, a widely-diffusedand well- yam, but is whitest- skinned and whitest-fleshed It is about potatoes known. as early known not notice. sort, deserves of so the good qualityas It is Peach Early Goodrich, isquiteproductive, Blow; but its freedom from disease, and the largecrop it produces,make and grows to a large size,with but as few small ones is excellent. to the hill. Its It has not tested. The it a favorite with many growers. chief with it the fault is, mens tensively exlargestspeci- quality yet been Early Rose is to early,of excellent very and to yieldextremely well. quality, It has, however, not been very widely tested. Perhaps for earliness and rich satisfactory product,the Early Goodhas no superior. It is of faila nd it seasons quality, though some does not yieldas well as others,yet, all thingsconsidered,it is a desirable variety.The old Neshannock, or the latest of the Mercer, is among said The are earlyvarieties. As it is the to quality, apt to be hollow the at tre. cen- ripensrather early;and, even dug long before maturity,it has dryness and mealiness,when prepared It be when a for the table,not other found sorts. The grown for market Buckeye ; in many is sively exten- its yield is only is and its quality satisfactory, not medium. to some The and The Dykeman extent, but will Prince Albert is a is yet grown be superseded. soon well-known highly-esteemedvariety,ap- Potato Culture. preachingvery in quality. the near One Peach Blow tubers appear potato is,the largest be of the good quality as as who find justly can this of peculiarity by to small fault with Peach. Blow. the Mercer to a perly-grown pro- It is pronounced equal or superior many in quality, which is not proper soil and culture, the fact. It is emphatically a late it yieldsa fair crop ; is quitefree from potato ; and, though it does not yield vor, as well per acre disease ; and its smoothness, high flaother sorts, as some it is comparativelyhealthy; and and fine appearance make it much its With ones. sought after in the market. very late potato, is a with who produce favorite great many for market. Its yield is very large; The Fluke, a and its smoothness uniformityof it altogethera desirable size make is generally free from It variety. disease. In qualityit is rather above and Harrison, if The in the future as it should do it has done the past, bids fair to become for general cultivation. yieldedin this the It as that the it always brings market. In but few other kinds of late sorts fact, could find sale if offered to ever the so enough of this kind were ed Plantsupply the demand. it keeps green through early, of heat summer, its tubers rains,and then medium. well qualityis such a high price in and until no never tures ma- after the potato does fall it more rapidly. in Grown tato po- will be has flavored rich it argillaceous soil, hollow, coarse flesh,and illsuch soil as but on planted ; on soil of is recommended, it is about all that on derate mosection, with ordinaryculture, could be desired. It is a strong, vigorous fertility, hill of and the one one uniform-sized, peck to peculiarity grower; merchantable potatoes. It is a strong, of it is,that insects will not attack vigorous grower, and very healthy. vines of this varietyif other kinds are Its quality, though not the very best, within reach. is good. The Planted on extremelypoor ground, Willard,latelyoriginated chusetts, it will, bushels of by C. W. Gleason, of Massaperhaps,yieldmore is It is a half-early and those of better tubers, variety. quality, of a rich rose than any other variety that could be enormously productive, soil. Among all color,spottedand splashedwith white. plantedon the same size old In form and the The flesh is white. or new sorts, perhaps,no tato pothe Early Goodbe found it closelyresembles rich, that deteriorates can little in qualityfrom maturity to its parent. It has not been extensively so but certainly promises maturityagain. And, in fine,where tested, Excelsior is The well. said,by those only high qualitywith moderate yield in its sale,to be very ductive, are proexcellent quaof most lity, retainingits superiorflavor all desired, it has interested few if any riors. supe- and round. the It is claimed Many that year better about old potatoes of this variety are of than new are most ones early kinds, of having obviatingthe necessity is said to Excelsior The sorts. early and cook mealy ; form very white nearlyround,eyes prominent. It has thus not been much tested neighborhoodwhere But out of the it originated. the potato-eateris yet unborn other varieties the ; but all of much list tioned might be menincludes given merit. New ties varie- clamoring constantlyarising, public favor, many of which are tion. wholly unworthy of general cultivasuch as One two or varieties, are adapted to the grower's locality for and market, are number of sorts sake. to a greater preferable for variety's merely grown Potato Culture. INFLUENCE OF These ON SEEDLINGS. SOIL organs supposedto are form per- offices characteristics of The potato, such a healthfulquality,productiveness, uniformityof size,etc., depend ness, analogous to those of the the stamens kingdom senting reprethe male, and the pistils the animal " as much the on which female organs. the on When teristics, charac- originated.These it anthers,which contain at maturity,they pollen,arrive the by the open and emit a multitude of minute the ingredients potato from grains of pollen; and these, falling soil,at its first growth from the the pistils of the flower, throw on with minute of the adhere potato-ball, the of all,imbibed or some seed soil the of nature hair-like tubes, which out penetrate through all its through the vascular tissue of the generations.A seedlingmay, in size, and ultimately reach the ovules, pistil, color,and form resemble its parent ; thus them, and fertilizing making but its constitution and qualityare in them capable,when of mature, ducing reprothe nature a great degree dependent on kind. of their own plants of the soil,climatic influences, The ovules the rudimentary are it great tenacityto other accidental and True and we crosses probably is it and generally more healthy than others; seeds,situated in accidental to of central which for many rieties vatheir from widely is most cross apparent will be colors of each TO HOW order In offspring with marked stripedor to rent of diffe- the parents are colors,in which case the when the eye base consistingof portion,called is surrounded inner the the to a nucleus, by two coats, secundine,the the the hairprimine. When the pollen-grainpasses through the orifice in the coatingsof like tube of the ovule, and reaches the nucleus,or embryo sack, it is supposed to emit a spermatic or plantletgerm, which bryo through the wall of the empasses and the germinal sack enters parent. VARIETIES. CROSS called the the outer A the at case each pistils, the indebted are that differ so parents. a are crosses vigorous causes. comprehend fullythe in it. vesicle contained The vesicle their of this subject,and or germinal principles correspondsto the vesicle, it of and in the eggs ovum operations, spot, birds, applicationto practical take a general of mammiferous animals. will be necessary The to germ remains in the vesicle, and finally becomes view of the generative organs of the the embryo, fullydeveloped vegetable kingdom, and the manner in the in into be seen in which act a as production they plantlet, may of their species.If perfectflower, of consists essentially called one in the of the around of on an the of gans, or- the other pistils, located are pistils The stamens sets two a it that the the stamens. centre examine we shall find we flower,and them. is called pistil the The the summit stigma; and is situated the top of each stamen small sack, which conanther tains a " the that pollen,a fertilizes the seeds of the dust-like substance, ovules plant, or young seeds. many of Flowers when the the when and on perfect in are pistils the apple; monoecious, and stamens flower, as same the called plantsare in different oak ; and dioecious,when flowers and on different the hemp. which one on the In the plants,as in plants in males, are on or females, pistils, another, the males alwaysremain in different that class of stamens, plant,and flowers the white plant,as same or of course barren \ and the must pisti- Potato Cidttite. to lates,to be pollenfrom must fruitful, the anthers have of the the stami- continue This brought in contact with its stigma In by wind, insects,or other means. plantswith perfectflower,the stamens and are generally situated around the that above the pistil, so pollen force falls upon the stigma by mere of gravity. In the potato, tjiepollen is conveyed from the anthers to the of the two actual contact stigma by The organs. mule. nate the fullfor fresh and days. substantially operandi is modus some in crossingfruits, flowers, the vegetablesthroughout table vegekingdom. breeding crossHybridizing differs from in one only fertilizing species, of its varieties, with the pollen one same and or of another or species, of the same or a different genus. offspringis called Hybrids,with ties, of its varie- one hybrid, or a very few tions, excepfail to propagate seed, and must, sterile, they Cross-breedingin plantsconsists in themselves from one varietywith the pollen fertilizing be propagated by to them, of the same preserve of another variety species. No suckers. or layers, change is called a cross-breed, grafts, The offspring is in fruit the perceptible produced of breeding crossor variety. The process the operaconsists in takingthe pollen from blossoms upon which tion of or hybridizing cross-breeding it the and of one applying to variety has been performed ; but the seed of in such a stigma of another variety, fruits so obtained may be plantedwith way as to effect itsfertilization. This of producing a fruit or is done by cuttingaway (withscissors)the certainty tuber commingling the qualities,colors, tilized, of the flower to be ferthe stamens are a short time before they arrive taking a flower in which the pollen is ripe,dry, and powdery, from the stalk of the variety at and main characteristics of both rents. pa- maturity,and Experience, however, the characteristics somewhat shows of the male that dominate pre- in the offspring. To and hyjudiciouscross-breeding bridizin then it in the of we owe most our superior the of it the left, striking on finger the flower, thus scattering fruits and vegetables. If the operation held near and were more generallyknown the pollenon the stigma of the pistil the most farmers, practiced ing gratifyby of the flower to be fertilized. The results would be soon obtained, should be taken to apply utmost care in the of the not production only is its in the flower the pollen when wished parent; and righthand, and for the male greatest vigor, and covered mucus the ing hold- stigma is coatingof with the necessary to insure a perfectconnection most valuable and other varieties of but vegetables, and flowers, grain of every potatoes also in fruits, description. and make pollenwith the pistil, POTATOES. SMOOTH VS. ROUGH [he fertilization perfect. All flowers Other in the experimentshould be thingsbeing equal,smooth not wanted to those with before any pollenis formed. removed potatoes are preferable The starch being of to tie athn It is necessary deeply-sunken piece eyes. abundant the most near the flower to be fertilized, skin,not gauze over is lost by the thin paring of much so to prevent before and after crossing, insects from conveying pollen to it, the former as by the necessarily er deepof the latter. the labors of the opethus frustrating paring rator. Varieties usuallywell formed sometimes has been sucIf the operation cessful, will soon the pistil begin to grow so knobby and ill-shaped will be the to as scarcelyrecognized. This is wither ; if not perfect, pistil of the Potato caused by when drought occurring severe the tubers about are causingthem grown, On the Culture. of return Much thirds two ii No is itself for the and one, UNCUT SEED. should shows argue that potatoes The planted whole. only growers be the soil also demonstrate experiments if all the A with plot planted potatoes planted with each the to will hill, difference in number the growing The poor seed cut of vines be of two to secure flesh as used. also possible, the centre " in them tubers pieces under seed prove from " end produce potatoes that mature earliest;they are also smallest. Those from the large or end are largest, stem and least latest, in numbers. from the middle Eyes produce tubers of very uniform size. If small, ill-shaped potatoes planted on successive the best the same years, ground for three the results will a bad variety name. be Late ciently suffi- market planted about the two earlyones. bushels questionab Unbe obtained can the greater. it out Mark four feet apart each planted in hills, by plowing broad, flat-bottomed three inches three each. eyes furrows about At deep. piecesof in directed, sections Place the crossings potato, cut, of two the as three or pieces so as represent the pointsof a triangle, each piece being about foot distant a to from If that eyes planted as by planting in drills per acre in hills, but the labor of cultivating if to be the eye to of the tuber. Experiments the Cut sound on be warm. be cure prothree or Prepare the ground by thorough low. plowing, making it decidedlymel- improperly drop three eyes each, takingpains around each eye as much or and The has become in drillsis much ing attend- able always trace- improper seed Only large,mature, should than way, almost are planting MANURING. ground more during season. results sometimes to cut. eyes much the changing undoubtedly the by the practice. should later than another show not kinds dry out. two every insist AND the three small,uncut of two many the as seed start, weeks and hill, piecesof three seed varieties should the to Early soon greatest but the stronger soon overpower them starve weaker, and finally the demands when great benefit PLANTING the eyes except one or the two near middle be cut out of the seed-potato, such seed will push with possiblevigor. Many eyes of the uncut Even year; and is often doubled crop from that the years, and seed every able greater supply of starch availfrom which to obtain nutriment plantcan draw support and atmosphere. But another. new a until the developmentof seed grown on a different soil. best and most extensive growers plausibletheory in support of whole seed is,that the few eyes that do start have best varietyis desired,experience same Many up of the stillbe fitted to meet of AND made are constituents exactlyin the same partially ripen. same moisture,a new proportion; hence, a soil may be exhausted to growth takes place,which shows in knobby protuberances. CUT gained by changingseed. varieties two the each of the other side cut better ; cover Where land two. is put down, about two inches is free from stone it is deep. and sod, the covering may be well and mediately rapidlydone with a lightplow. Imafter planting, sprinkleover and around each hill a large handful of unleached wood-ashes and salt,(a half-bushel of fine salt mixed barrel of ashes is about If ashes give as is sometimes can the not the with a rightproportion.) ed, be obtain- case, apply Potato 12 instead about lime slacked the it. will make quantityof same in brine salt strong potato from as The Culture. as peculiarorganizationhas its hungering after potash. Woodand thirsting its wants in this ashes exactlymeet direction. Lime supplies indirectly what was before potash by liberating inert in the soil. induces obtain To half the -ashes the best results, be covered inch an Salt in small quantities of plan ed hill is recommendwhere it is of them. the most make obtained crops have been in the fertilizersnamed the using Maximum by which described;but where they can ly itis certainat low prices, and requires less labor,to advisable, all apply three,ashes, lime,and salt, in bountiful harrow it in marked out and quantities, the before for ground is CULTIVATION. expected,pass a light the rows just before the ready to burst through ; harrow vines are over are this will disturb them less troublesome. and As render them soon earth inches high,run tops are two plow five inches deep close to turningthe furrows from the Plow rows, east both ways twice the finishingon and west, sun's rays the ground a which a corn- the will better chance hollow squares the air and warm as After the the potatoes sunlight, Just as soon as a height of six hitch seven a or inches, strong horse to a two-horse plow, and turn furrows inches tween seven deep midway befully to the weeds the plantswith or low mel- the hoe, top of the hills somewhat the rains. catch fairlyup, their through with all possiblespeed,or at least as rapidlyas the growth of the tops will permit. If the last plowing be deferred until the vines are large,a largeproportion potatoes After consequence. of growth, time each a tubers new be the to certain stage formed are the soil is disturbed;these fullydevelop, they rob those make the formed, and crop never first inferior to By the the ground mode up roots soon tubers are what of it should culture is made described, and warm be. mellow the seed-potatoes,the fill the whole hill,and formed that have nothing to writer is The grow. flat culture has strong advocates do to are be crowded potatoes is sure of small but aware ; to but,after many is convinced he experiments, that hills are much the other tilizers fer- PLASTER. However hills. Plow much lime or be appliedto may stillgreat benefit is derived the from soil, the of lime.) plaster, (sulphate pendence deall,plasteris the main of the potato-grower, a help which he may most rely with the utresults confidence. Astonishing obtained from its use, when applied of use all sides will grow amazingly. the tops have attained rows necessary; whollyun- where, from it alone. After by the is often Then, so the soil is concerned, let stirring to the running give the to on hill, upin ter bet- rows rows. properly.Standing on of earth, warmed rows hills,best. between rows to keepingthe the as the plowing,it is needed, draw poor close If weeds ways; turn side-hill, between but much planting. a will leave the shape. Hoeing far both rows be ground the first furrow manner be obtained broadcast the cultivation should fertilizers the supply,and in limited are desirable to This of soil. manuring in the only in cases named with about between if the a vigorous, healthygrowth. lime should or twice and on are in a proper manner. all of field, preparedalike,and seen a. The the all same writer has all soil, plantedwith Potato the same one half of in wet time,on plaster, the case. same was and acre, rotten many which plaster hereafter manner and hundred three ; was acre, and not per the other part, appliedin the explained,yielded sixtybushels per an unsound of plasteris often one among them. action The the fact that where From has been of benefit, there in plausibility would be traceable to' the the lime, but The ammonia form of carbonate in not that to sulphuricacid. rain-water A was in the (a volatile salt)is dry ; so of potatoes. when the drought since, or few years intense so render in this section as to the generalpotato crop almost the writer produced a a total failure, plentifulcrop by the use of plaster alone. On examination at the dryest the bottoms of the hills were time, dust to be dust, yet literally the tubers the leaves were vines and rich seem Liebig's theory its effects must clover,wet zling. puzfound land stronglylimed,a small tity quansuch plaster applied shows decided seasons; such is not always It is certainly beneficial to fit which, that had no but sixtybushels yield the to the at variety Culture. green, frost, while and swellingfinely; of a deep were remained other in this fields so until in sight, with the same planted variety,but treated with plaster, not were brown, dead, and gypsum not worth attracts digging. That moisture may hill of the plaster, be a decomposed by sulphuric proved by plastering corn for it, thus and leavinga hill by it unplastered having greater affinity ; forming two new compounds, sulphate the dew will be found deposited in and carbonate of ammonia of lime. the plastered on greater abundance But arable soil has the same hill. as to tain But, according Liebig,cerperty proof absorbing ammonia from the products of the chemical action air and rain-water, and fixingit in the into and are incorof plasterenter porated with same the structure or even a of the higher degree than its lime, there is only the sulphuricacid plant,closing breathing pores to left to look to for an such an that the plant is enextent abled explanation of the favorable action of plasteron the which to withstand a drought would growth of plants. prove fatal to it unassisted. It is found that plasterin contact Certain it is that plasterrenders with soil undergoes decomposition, plants less palatableto insects, and, far as the writer's experimentsexso tend, part of the lime separatingfrom the and and it is fatal of the fungi to many sulphuricacid, magnesia ash pottakingits place,quitecontrary to family. To obtain the best results, the ordinaryaffinities. the vines of potatoes should be dusted These facts show that the action with plaster as soon as they are fairly of plasteris very complex, and that the soil,again immediately through it promotes the distribution of both after the last plowing and hoeing,and, vals hereafter given, at intermagnesia and potash in the ground, for reasons action exercisinga chemical growing throughout the whole upon the soil which extends to any depth The firstapplication season. may be of it ; and that,in consequence of the after light,the second heavier,and therechemical and mechanical it should be bountifully tions modificaapplied, of the earth,particles of certain hundred two at pounds say per acre nutritive elements become accessible one sowing. and available to plantsthat were not acid so THE before. It is said is plaster of most bene- The POTATO-ROT" year 1845 will ITS ever CAUSE. be memo- Potato rable its givingbirth by which threatened of the caused to the potato an a disease entire destruction and crop, sufferingand incredible to which pecuniaryruin throughout extent potato, common That the disease,was dependence of the potato sole people of Ireland for over-populated country actual more of the has any other Although this di rienced expe- in suffering disease potato from food. the same has ease others, yet we are of its existence, and yearly in some sequence con- than cause. in never, this country, prevailed to the ruinous that it has in extent and moisture,and their aridity such that vegetationwithers of is often before them same some reminded the at as touch Evaporation is increased rapid ratio with The exhalation the time of the appearance at of the almost devoid of wind. Europe. The Culture. exposed winds' are the the sweep at in the a digiously pro- velocity effects of the excessive from to of fire. once leaves of of such plants drying seriously apparent. these winds When finally cease, the dity, atmosphere has a low relative humimoisture remains in not enough the air to prevent radiation ; the heat absorbed by the earth through the day is,during the bright,cloudless night, rapidlyradiated and lost in space, and a reduction in temperature of twenty to thirty sequence. degrees is the con- seasons localitiesitsdestructive effects the first place,the potato-vines by excessive exhalation ; in reduction of the second, by sudden of the disease known the "potatoas temperature, and, though not frozen, rot" is Botrytis(peronospora) infes- their functions are much deranged, This may be induced tans. their vitality and by many greatly enfeebled and various predisposing To common use a expression,the causes, such feebleness constitution violent of cold that of the as plant has caught a has settled on the lungs." an varietyplanted,rendering them The leaves (which are the lungs of easy prey to the disease ; by planting tions failto perform their funcon low, moist land, or on land highly plants)now enriched of by nitrogenousmanures, properly. The points many vites of the leaves turn brown, curl up, and causing a morbid growth which inthe disease;also by insects or die. their larvae puncturing or eating off ly The ascending sap, not being fulthe leaves or vines. But by far the elaborated by the diseased leaves, most common out through the skin of the stalk oozes wide-spreadand most of the disease is sudden viscous state, and the plant in cause a thick, changes of atmospheric temperature, particuis in a state of consumption. to all appearance larly when rain. accompanied by nute At this stage the ever-present miDrought, though quiteprotractedand unless of the accompanied by strong Botrytisinfestans severe, spores the sicklyplant, on dryingwinds,and followed by sudden eagerlypounce its most eased disand great reduction of temperature, selthemselves dom on fastening affects the potato seriously.It is Botrytisinfestans parts. The cluded in the Northern is not uncommon a States, plant,and is incryptogamous Mucidineous in the of August and family, during the months It is a vegetable parasite September, for strong westerlywinds (moulds.) for many to prevail preying upon the livingpotato plant, days in succession. These winds, coming from the great like lice or other animal parasites upon American desert,are almost wholly the animal species. seriously apparent. final or culminating The cause are In suffer " Potato healthier plants. follows that,because a mildew, it must by left to die,any it by But more no Culture. means ed plantis attackbe necessarily than it follows that,because an animal isinfested with vermin, it should be let alone to be eaten up by REMEDY THE POTATO-ROT. " ounce cure once that FOR treatingfor the potato-rot, an of preventionis worth a pound In of them. ;" for when leaves or vines dead, they ever remain so. be done can are All for potatoes infested an apple dusted at its first formation from strengthening remain." The those " writer was led to the adoption of the remedy proposed by experimentsmade upon fruits. has an who Every one apple or pear-orchardmust have observed that mildew sudden Spots the cold of fruit supervenes after some of change temperature, cially espewhen accompanied by rain. of mildew fruit young night,when indicated form on invariably immediatelyafter a the thermometer has and ground plaster remained maturity, to came free while but not so applesgrowing by it, b ecame treated, scabby and worthless. also ascertained that a thorough It was applicationof plasterdestroyed the mildew after it had formed, and that such fruit came to maturity. On the potato mildew, so far as the writer's if applied experienceextends, plaster, early,is a perfectprevention,and if not delayed too long after the disease appears, is a certain remedy. vines should The is to stop the mildew from by destroyingit where it spreading, is,and by things which mildew with and on the be watched firstappearance ly, closeof the disease plastershould be applied; not ing merely sowing it broadcast,but dashit over and under the vines, ing bringit in contact with the stalks, using a handful three to four hills. Plaster or for this purpose should be very dry and powdery, and should be applied when the air is still. One is seldom be renewed as it sufficient; often as cation applishould circumstances Examine the vines about require. three days after a cold night,or about the same length of time after a heavy rain. If the leaves begin to curl and wither,apply plasterat once ; and, in ty-five change of twenty to twenThis of dew mildegrees. growth takes place when the apples are the vines show of various sizes, from the earliest formation short,whenever any of bites signs drooping,be the cause to the size of large marbles. excessive aridity, of insects, These fungousgrowths appear as darkor sive excesof the colored spots, which arrest the growth humidity atmosphere, or of the apple immediatelybeneath, sudden change of temperature, drooping indicates from whatever it cause become while distorted, causing to any the expansion and contraction bring the approach of mildew, which should with an be promptly met diseased action, which results in the on application crackingand generalscabbiness of the of plaster. As before stated,plaster the vines as soon fruit. as they are up, again the lastplowing and hoeing; after that dry-rot (Merulius after Knowing cumstances Lachrymans, (Schum,)another species that, one, two, or three times,as cirindicate. of fungus,was remedied by an application of sulphuricacid, I thought the vines are kept By this method it might possibly dew. of a brightlivelygreen, and the tubers destroythe fruit milAn of plaster, until are application swelling sum,) (gypkept growth is which is composed of lime and ed stoppedby frost. Another pointgainwith the made sulphuricacid, was is,potatoes so grown are so sound a happiestresults. It was found that and free from disease as to be easily Potato Culture. market kept for spring without loss diggeris the if the by of the owner cially rot. crop. plaster to to sulphuricacid,to the its simplybeing a dust, has determined. is well It that the fruits of vineyardor orchard in close proximityto a dusty much and frequented highway are remarkably free from mildew, which the on can only be due to dust settling known fruit. and trees a in the But Diggingshould of is attributable the the been not potato mildew the on lime, or surprisingeffects the Whether of case is ground small plow, to each side of only when dry, that the clean out come may be done turn a the and potatoes bright. lightfurrow is rows, help. some Pull and lay'them up the vines, that they will be covered so dirt dug from hill. the down by Commence side of the hiil; press the hook hoe down, so that it will reach a or trifle below the potatoes, and the writer is inclined to believe the implement firmly toward plaster, is mainly due to the sulphuric Repeat the operation, each efficacy assisted tool the inches a few acid, probably placing the by of dust. state a it matters may, that as it result is all The not. this Be " desired; the remedy is and a easilyapplied,costs but a trifle, draw you. time trialis all that is needed convince to the skeptical most of its merits. grower STORING AND DIGGING labor of growing and securinga crop of potatoes. Digging is a long,laborious task. Many small sunk yearlyby inventors fortunes are Is full half the with and experimenting the work has done under except the most properly favorable Many tubers earth,and machines so so not are yet fully with left covered bruise the the' potatoes will hill, many much tatoes injured. Poshould be picked up as soon and as fast as dug ; and immediately covered with straw other material, or from the light. A to protect them few hours' the best strong sunshine potato the changes ever color besides, potatoes injuretheir appearance in Light to green, renders the potato so bitter and to be wholly unfit to as unpalatable eat. which to way in often dug, and the the inconsiderate potatoes are they are lightto being transported to market, the denizens some will ruin grown. natural which overcome. lost ; and of be sacrificed and cumstances. cirOwing Stones,vines,and weeds obstacles digging centre this method the toes potabe bruised ; whereas, if in the be commenced By will not the and ing construct- "potato- diggers;"but, so far,no machine are hill is dug. further until the whole hill, the across or be can singleseason's in in the one on its lime in A from if ever, taste exposed and of this our while while in cities seldom, vegetablein its If to be stored greatest excellence. in the cellar,the potatoes should be digging and keeping qualities. Undoubtedly, when in heaps covered with the day will come the great left in the field, bulk of potatoes will be dug well and straw, until the sweating is over, and the cellar and to rapidly by horse-power; but until then be removed that day does come, with the potato-hook lightlycovered dry sand, or be used. must earth, just sufficient to exclude the Much of the back-ache and general light. choose incident to digging is If to oe buried in the field, unpleasantness ing havavoided,or greatlymitigated, a by dry, sidelingplace; scrape out a the potatoes large and sound, slight hollow, by merely removing the the surface soilwith a hoe ; into this, hill, pile turningout a peck to espeas to i8 ten twelve bushels ; to properly,and toes with deep ; or Culture. Potato clean cover placethe straw, the over straw of better flavor in the fully care- six inches small a remain so carry air that foul from it is be that,if are leaves instead used of be straw, potatoes buried, such potatoes will be of better flavor ; j to cover if nothing further, and in contact comes twofold with keep to is used of purpose chamber the tubers for the air- securing an frost,and out the earth from prevent but dry earth them, they will better still. Straw be be may add me woods the to until the sweating is completelyover, or so long as prudence will permit; and when cold earth weather fairly sets in,add more to keep from freezing, leavingonly a of straw wisp protrudingthrough to off any here let And opening at the top ; over this opening place a board or flat stone, elevated a littleon one side,to lead off the rain. Let them springthan possiblefor potatoes to be which cellar. kept in a common with four five inches of earth,except are usually properly buried Potatoes pota- j them cover to minglingwith openingthe pits. on generated. TO THE INJURIOUS TATO. POintensely INSECTS but lightly cold, it is best to cover There distinct speciesof ten are with earth,say five or six inches deep; insects preying upon the potato-plant and when vere, freezingis becoming sewithin limits of the United the States. spread over the heap buckwheat j of these ten speciesare fined conto the depth j Many straw, or coarse manure, within Certain mits. li! in inches. is geographical six There of danger Their habits and differ history especially covering very deep at first, Where if the winters the are should autumn attack the potato very widely. Some both in the larva state and in the perfect warm. prove kept too warm, rot is sure to ensue. or winged state ; others Experience shows that any vegetable perfector winged state alone tain keeps better buried in pitsthat conothers again in the larva state than twelve ten not or more If each. bushels are large quantities Where buried,it is advisable shallow,broad to open to a be every long, a potatoes these put and A straw more keep so few on furrows assist in to a six inches and them ; covering; and make a of method separate; and any time opened at any market, without others, section to be can be taken to these turn employed The ten out to of two Where ; and a be worthless Stalk-Borer,* no its specieshas mode cessful suc- will when againstthe remainder. tela,Guenee.) This * while ; tender and will prove very some" of them " endangeringthe rated gene- borer,exclusively a enemies against often leaves potato which of attack '\ two largerstalks. lead off the of ter rains,which is a matthe first importance. By this each lot of potatoes is kept the insect peculiar drain from year belonging to preceding Eight of the ten feed the Each side each on singlebrood remaining the every burrow, like in the sects, in- females of stems until the trench is full. plowed are alone. broods, each of them externallyon of earth ; potatoes more year; of broods. desirable place about straw then as one while by quantity of to soon as dug ; next little straw; against the by placing a is but and ; of these seven there three to of case there three, trench,leadingup and if possible, to secure hill, good either at end, drainage. Commence, down the In in the hair-lines life-size. represented are (Gortynani(Fig.2,) larva given,the insects are Potato in the largestalks burrows commonly Culture. It occurs also in the of the potato. in those of the stalks of the tomato, dahlia aster, and and It is sometimes flowers. through the the ing bor- dian growing Inpartial particularly the of stem found cockle- common bur, (Zanthiumstrumarium;}and would only itself to confine of friend a than is an yearly becoming destructive. an4 more is great a numerous particularly Mississippinorth River. The of is found of the Ohio larva of the stalk-borer leaves the stalk in which about and the descends the a it burrowed latter part of littlebelow in earth, where it into July, the surface about three the days changes pupa, state. chrysalis The winged insect (Fig. i,)which extensive group belongs to the same of moths {Noctua family,or owlet moths) which, to or all the cut-worm moths from der unappertain,emerges from the end of ground August the middle of September. Hence to it is evident that events, of the female the few, some moths must at all there is no young for them to plants, the autumn, die out in a the potato, lay eggs whole breed injuryto or live it is numerous, the in in the larva potato crop stalk of the out, bores into the heart of the and alway proceeding the root. When it is fourth one is length,and stalk, toward full grown, than more downward of a tle lit- inch an soft,whitish,legless Hence grub, with a scalyhead. it can always be readilydistinguished the which larva has of the stalk-borer, sixteen invariably how matter a it may small legs,no be. Unlike this last it becomes in a pupa insect, interior of the potato-stalk which the it inhabits and it comes about the : beetle state out in the last of August beginningof September. by the larva dies. The wilts and perfectbeetle, like many other snout-beetles, must of course live through the winter,to reproduce its species the following spring. In Southern Pennsylvania, some tensive years, nearly every stalk of exfields is infested by this insect, the causing premature decay of the vines,and giving them the appearance or The stalk of inhabited havingbeen districts of some has, in crop ruined vines This having a In the potato Illinois, some by scalded. been seasons, terly ut- this snout-beetle, many dozen larvae in them. insect attacks no the plant but does than The Potato- Worm, ^-maculata, Haworth.) known insect,the larva 3,) (Fig. is usuallycalled " Potato-Stalk potato. subsequentlyhatches insect, potato. is generallysupposed. The The other upon would This singleyear. in sections where more which its beak winter,in obscure through places, the plantsthey infest to layeggs upon the following spring; for otherwise, as about of country; and in the valley from extent of the moth a in numerous It female of this beetle deposits single egg in an oblong slit, one eighth of an inch long, it has previouslyformed with The It enemy. more over such weeds, it might be considered noxious more if it in totallyunknown New-England. garden of cob It is corn. to other be to appears Weevil, trinotatus, Say.) This insect worm, (Baridius is more a southern species, allied particularly " occurring abundantly in the Middle States,and .in the southern parts of and Indiana. It Missouri, Illinois, is more tomato, common the on (Sphinx This of the the wellwhich potato- closely leaves of which off very particularspots in a it in completely single night. often clears When about which is usually full-fed, Culture. Potato the August, the potato-worm ly the ground,and short- last of burrows into the pupa pupa is often transforms The (Fig. 5.) dug up in the springfrom state, where tomatoes grown in the most ground the potatoes or were and preceding season, persons that the it suppose with that meet instead of two, so that, yellowline, three black stripes each on are in often and the same wing-case; der under afterward 21 singularjug-handled there noticed be field may all the diate interme- grades; thus proving that the individuals do not form a four-striped distinct as was species, supposed by European entomologistFabricius, the but are varieties of mere the same dividual inappendage at one end of it is its tail. speciesto which the sixth-striped it is the In reality, appertains. however, tonguecontains the long, pliable The and der stripedblister-beetle lives uncase, will various moth and feeds which future the ground tongue upon ers. roots during the larva state, and employ in lapping the nectar of flowitself (Fig.4) was moth The to attack the foliageof the emerges co-worm tobacit has passed into with the potato only when formerlyconfounded naeus,) the perfector beetle state. moth, (SphinxCarolina,LinThis insect, it in common with our which resembles, very closely series of orangeother blister-beetles, has the same having the same perties proside domen. abof the each the colored spots on as imported Spanish fly, will raise just as and of them any and black blister that The as does, and are markings, good a gray nally intertaken however, of the wings differ percepequallypoisonouswhen tibly in the and in in the two doses. Where the species; ed striplarge there is always blister-beetle is numerous, it is a moth tobacco-worm a less faint white or more the centre dot, near is which of the front species. The potato-worm the Northern States,in and States. plant in In the Southern and Mexico the the true potato-worm it is the tobacco-worm tobacco-grower potato-worm, to injurethe has wing, often feeds the leaves of the tobacco on a with in the other met never spot, or to dies, West-In- is unknown, that the fight. however, is never potato crop to The great pest and very destructive potato any In Striped Blister-Beetle, leaves so plant finally places they are plants (withbushes) on some the straw, and hay or been of them burned. driven a Some off pileof have in successful ridding their fields tween by placing straw or hay be- the settingit of potatoes, and then it is The insects, rows on this and The the the loss of sap and the want of sufficient leaves to elaborate its juices. said,by extent. that dies from known ous seri- It eats crop. holes full of the to quickly,does fire. means are stroyed, nearlyall deburning very the straw not injurethe vines. insect This (Lytta vittata,Fabr.) Blister-Beeern The a southAsh-Gray (Fig.6) is almost exclusively This spein some cinera, Fabr.) occurring tle, (Lytta species, cies years is the one the potato-vines monly com(Fig. 7, male) very abundantly on in the more in Southern found souri, and also in Misnortherly Illinois, and according to Dr. Harris,it States,where it parts of the Northern is occasionally in Newfound even usuallytakes the place of the striped It mentioned. blister-beetle before England. In some specimens the broad outer black stripe is of a uniform the wingon ash-gray color. It " cases is divided lengthwise by a slen- attacks not only the potato-vines but Ctilture. Potato 22 I but honey locusts,and especially also the the Windsor Though' in conjunction| large with the rose-bug, (Macrodactylussitb- appears to swarm damage Linn.,) spinosuS) upon every known, been it has object to not particular years In bean. does of extent diet of tato-leaves pofound over a a it seldom country, in numbers large enough to potato crop materially. it goes under blister-beetles, the orchards in Illinois, Like other in some apple-tree but gnawground to pass into the pupa not only eatingthe foliage, ing and attacks the potato only when into the young apples. in mage dathe perfector winged state. considerable This beetle does in the potato crop, especially the Like States. the North- Western state. it is to ground it lives under only species(Fig. 8,) is males, of asserted black by species. lath the blister-beetle is It is the that authors some to injurious of the three-lined leaf-beetle may from be distinguished all other insects excrement. This " Olivier.) The (Lema trilineata, larva the potato by its prey upon habit of covering itself with its own CSnte.) entirelyblack. is a very similar species,the There black blister-beetle, (Lytta atrata, blisterwhich black-rat the Fabr.,)from ing beetle is distinguishable only by havfour raised lines placed lengthwise and by the upon each wing-case, firstjointsof the antennae two being in the greatlydilated and lengthened (Lyttamurina, Le tle, Leaf-Bee- which state. tle, Blister-Bee- Rat Black The the in perfector winged in the when while is troublesome state, and lava (Lytta)family, of the other members Three-Lined The the is shown grown, Figure 10, #, this larva both full and half profile, covered with the soft, greenish In in excrementitious which matter from time to time it discharges.Figure 10, magnified view c, gives a of the pupa, and Figure10, /;,shows of the last few jointsof the abdomen from the larva,magnified and viewed somewhat The above. will be last joint, so is figure, surface of the the on larva, as this last from seen situated the of vent upper that its excrement falls upon rally natu- its back, and by potato ; but I can not see how it could do much damage to that crop, as the until insect does not perfect appear surface is covered late in the several other larva,feedingupon is reach. August,when nearly out of its however, with beetle,which business the is Not black-rat hand on early in potato crop the so, blister- ready for This season. dischargesis crowded toward its head, till the plants, which forward whole upper There are with it. wear cessive suc- cloaks of other this strange material. ject that the obsuppose is to of the larva in all these cases Many authors considerable insect does whole of the Northern damage to protect itselffrom the heat of the sun. the potato in Iowa, and neighboring In all probability the real aim of nature in the case States ; it is also found,though in not of all these larvae is from them the attacks of so to defend great numbers, throughout the The Margined States. birds and tle, Blister-Bee- There of cannibal are two and broods sects. inparasitic of this insect The firstbrood of larvae (Lyttamarginata, Fabr.) This every year. found the potato-vinetoward be on at once species(Fig.9) maybe nized recogmay of and the the latter end June, by its generalblack color,and the ash-grayedgingto its wing-cases. second in August. The firstbrood stays under ground It usuallyfeeds on certain wild plants, " Potato Culture. and potato-bug, (coryphorajuncta, Germor,) which has existed throughout great part of the United a States from leg is spot on the black front of pale,except entirely middle the of the Both insects are figured, the potato. need not be mistaken for that one so thigh. The eggs (Fig. Fig. 15, "/,d) are yellow, 14, a, a, and are always laid on the under side of the leaf in patches of from those of the bogus twenty to thirty; of a lightercolor. Each female are of the true Colorado potato-buglays, the other. accordingto a time This immemorial. latter insect, on however, feeds almost exclusively the horse-nettle, carolinense, (Solarium is Linn.,)and Figure known never b, b, b, gives a 14, Colorado the larva of the true bug, in various of Figure firstjointbehind edged is a the along the legsare double behind j I is pale and only that " spots side of the body ; and that In the other larva, black. the (Fig. 15, It,)on is of the a contrary, the eggs. into larvae,which seventeen the to ven se- days feed the potato plant days ; they then ground, where they into pupae The change earth. the six In about foliageof descend potato- of black row about Schirmer, about Dr. hatch the eggs the on stages black,and behind hundred potato- that the once the head with black there is head at seen of the former and of 15, b, b, of Colorado bogus It will be bug. head the view positionsand of its existence. that injure to the the at surface of perfect beetle pears ap- days after is formed, begins to pairin the pupa about teenth seven days,and on the fourday begins to deposither eggs. about ten to fourteen three broods There are every year. pale color,the first joint turkeys,nor is tingedwith dusk the larva of the head Neither this insect of geese, ducks, barn-yardfowl will touch the Colorado potato-bug them, and there edged authentic cases is but a singlerow on cord reare numerous have ed scaldside of the body, and who the legs are where persons of these larvae, to death quantities pale. of their bodies, inhaled exhibits and the fumes the true Figure 14, d, d, and even Colorado have been taken seriously ill, potato-bug; Figure 15, the for their each confined beds Colorado of been to bogus potato-bug; many its natural size. Figure 14, "?,shows It is also reported days in consequence. the leftwing-caseenlarged,and Fighave to ure produced poisonous dled hanseveral persons who 15, e, an enlargedleg of the latter. effects on it will be perOn a close inspection, with naked them incautiously ceived that in the former Various been (Fig.14, hands. plans have e) the boundary of each dark stripe tried to destroythis persistent enemy the middle the wing-casestoward bore helleof the potato plant. Powdered on and all round is studded with with black ; there of spots along the confused and punctures, partlyinside and outside the edge of the dark that it is the third and lar irreguly part- In is the and feet are second and the outside,that It should the with wet is a its of have been be dusted foliagewhen dew. used with destroyingthe of the on and plant is Hellebore, however, of dangerous remedy on account poisonous qualities.A mixture one part salt,ten parts soap, and twenty parts water, applied to every is counting from part of the plants with a syringe, and united behind, quiteeffectual. Several cannibal " are means under the contrary, it third stripes not " a as pest. black. fourth effect dark Figure 15, d, on the third and is said to stripe ; fourth that countingfrom the outside, stripes, united behind, and that both the are knees it is offered to when Potato killing all, range the fieldsand forests, from the the to crow. the larva of the Colorado humming-bird to-bug, potamade enactments and the eggs in vast numbers Legislative ly express- insectare parasitic one upon are Culture. by eaten known to prey birds speciesof lady- several to their larva. and protect the insectivorous are day every One The time the American to INSECTS. ON REMARKS GENERAL far distant when is not farmer It is a insects than hitherto. he has fact that noxious well-known Close observers " fruits of various calculate that kinds and can no serves " more varieties him near man but purpose to propagate " bark- " caterpillars," codling for his neighbors,and, " tent moths," etc., of matter a neighborhood the course, with swarms whole noxious If all cultivators would insects. with and in concert might be rapidly. punity. im- plantsan orchard to destroynoxious curculios," canker-worms," as sters song- with orchard, but his orchard an lice," are " also has " increasingin a rapid rate land. throughout every part of our The country is becoming so buggy is the that eternal vigilance priceof the soil. every thingproduced from insects man all he insects ; another obliged destroy will be put forth greater efforts to noxious does and violated reduced in numbers moths Most act will, insects a very night-flying and destroyed of insects are attracted to annually destroyed or rendered worthless by insects than are gathered by small bonfires kindled in stillevenings months. The cotton-worm, the and used by man. summer during the wheat-midge, the canker-worms, Bottles half-filled with sweetened each every year the potato-bugs, are water, hung here and there,will trap destrucand countless bugs. Strong soap-sudsapincreasingin numbers plied is hatch tiveness. after immediately they ses Molascurculio alone The destroys a sure remedy for plantlice. are " " millions of dollars' worth of fruit annually. and water, to which a littlearsenic added, placed in shallow cine is good mediall thingscondishes among the vines, sidered, It is a safe estimate, all insects all if of and noxious for bugs in that, potato-bugs, hilated general. A lightedlamp pla.cedin be annidescriptionscould at once of a common the centre milk-pan, throughout our country, and of various classes be effectually mildews partlyfilled with water, the whole held in check, the cost of living elevated a few feet from the ground, to our people would, in a short time, will,on a still evening, attract and third of its present be reduced to one destroy the wheat-midge and similar The lations calcuIt is dishearteningto see insects in great numbers. amount. ling codand of grains, the curculio of what amount vast a fruits, moth and vegetablesis annually eaten are brought to naught by up into to eat the orchard the the or larvae, turninghogs appropriatedby by the and it insects various fruit of the stung falls, ly mereas classes, perfect for the sake of propagating their larva that depasturesupon the leaves stroyed in abominable view of of the current and species. Yet, gooseberryis deall the devastation, but feeble effort by syringingthe plantswith is made evil. of soap, salt,and water. abate the mixture to Birds, a ingly seemspeciesof which nature many OF THE POTATO AS CATTLE to designed on purpose keep VALUE FOOD. insects in check, are wantonly shot has been " " " " by lazyboys and indolent men, who The constituents of the potato arer Potato different accordingto follows Culture as authorities, 0.4 Sugar 3.2 Fat 0.2 Fibre Mineral 75.2 1.4. 18.9 3.6 0.9 3.2 matter Of 0.9 the when high of value in connection used food, there is not All Or economically: Water Flesh-formers Fat-formers Accessories Mineral matter 1.4 15.5 shadow a experimenters and the economy that they are but must they of food of potatoes, with of doubt. observers whose from those of the root. " our constituents cows than They raw. for horses save of are and boiled, never hogs. need they for steamed otherwise them dealingwith them boiled serve Bechelbrunn at have never other different are potatoes, and raw upon mode with seems be saying highestutility them; ; used food in in agree the be other this means by heat. Boussingault,in speaking of the of cooking potatoes, says, economy The potato is frequently steamed or boiled first; yet I can say positively that horned cattle do extremely well to 75.2 of the most bules : Water Casein Starch Dextrine broken,and one of doing are efficient the food of roughly tho- so they to are The man. boiled potatoes or best is to steam be never when as The ed crush- are analysisshows The that potatoes between two rollers,or simply broken with wooden a fat-producingprinciples spade, and surpass the nutritious or flesh-forming in mixed with cut hay or straw or chaff, such proportionsthat they could not It may before being served out. no* alone sustain the composition of the be unnecessary observe that by to blood; for an animal fed alone on steaming potatoes lose no weight ; these tubers would be obligedto conconclude that the nutritive hence we sume such quantitiesto provide the equivalentfor the boiled is the same with blood the requisite proportion as that of the raw tuber. of albumen if the process that the that,even Nevertheless,it is possible of digestionwere i s rendered not more discontinued, amylaceous principle there would be a superabundance of and that easilyassimilable by boiling, fat accumulated the this come the tubers means beyond actuallybeby power in the " of the to oxygen would albuminous substance thus be endless caused check a connection roots change most be doubt some authors when tubers affirm to potato nourishment is starch in incapable of affording until the containing glo- can rably admi- in this way they answer for fatteninghogs, and in Done the oven, even potatoes be cattle." The remarks apparent contradiction in the observed;but dent the evi- will be leaning in favor of cooked shows theory that cooked attended to was with attention the contained to is not food ruminating as to evidentlyalmost those which tatoes po- though Boussingault,al- that payingsome it is well contained have potatoes in the oven, be littlequestion that brought to a state in which they may perfectlysupply the place and other in feeding horses of corn of the contrary. this on prove possibleto principles philosophical ; for the are there oxen. cooked, although seems that and heated the that the value the in grain,or with other ment eleflesh-forming to predominates. There seems no known value Some proposed to roast may fed nutritious. more of with in which most It its would transformations. regressive Potatoes,then, to be of food for cattle,should be the in the tissues in the nutritive matter as in the from part of a vital elements,and and which consume, successivelyabsorb same other rally genebenefit animals, convinced an the that abundance Culture. Potato in of starch be rendered action the given in of cases in is to molasses the to coating drench juice by used the of first of the a wash are milk parings of to which is all for kept is die the and then decoction of water kill the or hogs as in a often on potatoes one pound two eating cattle-food, considered of them of amount much state. are be which experiments potatoes by raw as in potatoes vermin will they to from as of of quantity the way derive that hay. fat thirds cattle from of properly the two triment. nu- monstrate de- horned In but purposes, animal fact on consumption made is lay ; when some possible greatest Repeated expressed the may a kind hay on fattening in are any that the fed are of show should to-juice pota- and stock for that occasion quantities, principally used tubers they pected, sus- small experiments mersed im- from stomach, A tonic cooked, parasites with quantity as the animal the bots administer decoy in good fed potatoes, in practice common a potatoes. boiling small placed and ally the been hours Raw potato ed decid- have where horsemen, are medicine turpentine, of when hence ; with .a spirits instantly almost which stock and with twenty-four live to a as " Bots, posed ex- to effects, hidebound " when state raw horses to benefit. known a their in laxative cattle. must heat. of in fed Potatoes often nutritious more to are constituents their given a cooked entire point the tity quan- of pounds equivalent triment nu- of to 28 How to the Potato. COOK TO HOW Cook FURNISHED PIERRE PROF. Professor 'BLOT PIERRE PROFESSOR SIR DEAR a COOKING on I write this note a Prize the note following POTATO, THE to I whether to ask Feb. do this with can housekeepers I remain to entire your approval. truly, very DEAR SIR You : authorized, with are named Select. the above with the book To the eye cutting off very inferior. and all of them potatoes. Boil. Being " except when in order to better, more baked better be to naturally watery, ing by boil- be cooked never wanted When size cook are or the Use intended they are for croquettes. of an even them or good very white, as boiled whole, put much as possible, evenly. They them as steamed mealy, when tfutthose who ; have no minutes and off all the water, fire for five slow well covered ; then use the To of made Steam. " Place boilingwater, for that been have them in purpose, a above kind and a tle ket- of drainer adapted to drainer cook of made as be covered must fast heat steamed When by boiling, as being the the same. is very skin easily removed. Prepare. To steamed, or wash to If " If wanted them. frying,etc., cuttingoff the germs then boiled, peeled, by commence eyes ; if young skin off with or the tender, take and to be they are sary baked, it is only neces- or for as a scrubbing-brush,and drop immediately keep them white ; if old,scrape the skin off with a knife,for the skin the part immediately under in cold water contains more and wanted to nutriment drop than cold water in it ; for if kept drop air,they turn reddish qualities. 1'Allemande. A a If " a bowl, dust little milk turn well with all over, and fifteen minutes ; serve that they to lose their Steam, little butter, and them cut exposed and Cut some slice the potatoes. bread and thin slices,and fry in the middle, also. cut, either in dice,or like carpels of oranges, or any other way, of cold water, so above a bowl with potatoes. The tight. They the degree into er steam- boil them. Cover must, of course, with cold water, set on the fire and them boil tilldone, then pour a put the pan back on the kettle. kinds, sound when soil. proper those that or prefer, potatoes should are several are a kind you fit for the way served. To a There from P. BLOT. the followingselections authority, general rule, the a the better the are greatest pleasure. the piece from the larger if they are sound ; end, you ascertain be white, reddish, bluish, they must etc.,according to the species. If spotted, they are not sound, and therefore coming 15, 1870. Feb. KITCHEN, : As " smaller By T. WYLIE. T. WYLIE: In accordance from CENTRAL ing Hop- the potato for the table prepare yours BROOKLYN, W. 15, 1870. on W. REV. to the cultivation of the potato, I wish to be taken from your Hand- Book of Practical Essay article may aid our American palatableand wholesome manner, more BROOKLYN. NEW-YORK, with that such in OF BLOT, : In connection : article publishan Cookery. BY of friends,I addressed suggestionof a number Blot, which, with his reply,is appended : the AT POTATO. THE the tritive nu- peel, and bread in potatoes the whole sugar, pour a bake for about warm. How 1'Anglaise. Steam A Put two of butter in ounces a slice then peeland quart of potatoes, and them. boil about or " to Cook fire,and put the potatoes in when melted, toss them for about ten minutes, add salt,pepper, a littlegrated and nutmeg, Broiled. Steam, peel,and " the slices Lay place it over potatoes. and over as on butter, and melted have slice a gridiron, slow added be may over done, dish, salt, hot. them serve vegetablespoon, a scallopedknife, or an ordinaryone, or cut in pieces in dice. carpelsof oranges, or even dry. cut, drain and wipe them be done must quickly,so as not like When allow to Have the a towel the potatoes into them turn them to potatoes coarse a ready, then a colander,and a in the be eaten must times three in as size at a long to as fry fried,turn the fat light into over into and it takes time, as fry them sliced swelled. or when or them again back one have two way in a slices or called a to it is may the on put onion much as three do are ; two of them the on a fire for the on of to a and a and in thickness. proper two three or while, and dish, smooth knife or Set minutes, warm. serve with them scallopthem, a Put Baked." and stewpan hot,add cording ac- after,put prepared, two set ounces it on the of parstea-spoonful ley a little salt ; five a tatoes, quart of pocooked, peeled, and chopped fine, and minutes yolks of enough to milk fancy. Mashed a in it mashed, as directed ; then pour on the whole, littleby little, continually stirring with milk in a vegetablespoon, they fran$aise. Potatoes cut with a vegetablespoon and fried,make a good as well as them, and cover of butter, two ounces eggs, salt,pepper, Potatoes from la to boil gently littlesalt ; set in the back till done, drain, put them them well and mix them mash saucepan, sometimes are about quarter onjthefire and fire ; when cut It ble vegeta- no potatoes. and is necessary than minute, and when than Peel are pintsof potatoes, as directed ; put with more water in a saucepan of butter ; there is it. It is as butter, as more " in the very simple. fried la Parisienne with two frying-pan a gentlytillthe potatoes fine,light-browncolor. a require more colander, salt in the known fillets and called in melted toss all fried of tatoes pohalf a If the fat is very into it for the second as in not add ounces stir and the back hot. serve easilydone have the potatoes and again of butter ; salt, pepper, and done, when When hot,when dropped swell time they will certainly other used, either quart of potatoes, put a of butter the only about minute, then put them hot fat,stir for about them, and When " fire ; leave in the colander cut about ounces make in cut colander, and the brisk a is If you chopped. stirring the To liked any cold potatoes, steam boil some, or let them cool, and peel and slice them. them 'in fillets. no or that fried toes potahot as possible. with when pieces as them be not can Potatoes " as absorbs towel, shake them in mind Bear Fry only one put slices Mashed. diately imme- When hot. serve cut onion turn quicklydrop them done, turn salt on colander, sprinkle them, fat. it and gravy, sauces much reddish. turn and little, a hot of fat mings skim- tasted. ' This fat ; no matter kind what it lard,beef suet, or than used, be as are in slices,with with more you please,either sliced or chopped, half filin lets, into the pan, and fry it till about be fried,the potatoes To " either with cut expensive than in fat. They also,but it is still ter expensive than oil,and is not bet- more and when fire, to taste. Fried. or be fried in butter may For little butter A dished, according when dish of meat a Lyonnaise are prepared accordingto taste, that is,as some butter may Lyonnaise. fire ; spread spread When side. the other and and over They of the slices of potatoes with a brush ; the under part is broiled,turn as soon each be fried in oil also,but slice the rather a for is hot. serve sightlydecoration offish. it is ing-pan fry- a the on the Potato. in a wooden a spoon, whole and when the ; and becoming rather a pint of good ed, is well mix- thick, take the fire,place on the dish, then set for five minutes, and brisk oven serve. a Sautees. " Take a quart of young and How tender and slices. in in butter till of them on a dish a They color according Soufflees. " and mix set the on of of milk, is in stir and thick a until ; dish the them with them put proper Cakes. In steam the of yolks stew-pan melted, a wooden it is the in five eggs, fire only the well stirring, water ; the put little for about With Put fine of butter few add the if very a ; tin handy, of mould on in it ; the at in a as quick and fire with the first in boil a move re- skim ; It five and is warm. and in butter fire ; ; of of pint a milk or er, long- fire, sprinkle in and sugar, a add minutes ten of with then ; a when pinch a stir minutes the them serve possible. Sauce. sprig a and on thyme, of pepper, potatoes in of two, them two boiling onions, basil, two sweet ; wash, in potatoes sprigs two Clean, " of quart a salt, pour prepared parsley, half mash of salt from with them and tea-spoonful a and White the dish, it stirring bay-leaf, serve in keep as water, cut till broth entremets as good a chopped nutmeg, throw take boil, drop pepper of Peel on table-spoonful a cloves, ble considera- and ; With a of one warm. well ounces it spoon warm and serve. of potatoes, while oven posed com- cooked, serve when two sprinkle cream off; a it. son Sea- and pint a Milk." set same take Fashion." English potatoes the and greased salt till as potatoes, grated half ; then in. seasonings and or Put melted, when flavor thirty-five minutes, or quart orange-flower good place Cream of the mix in dinner. wooden of of any, four dice parsley, gently breakfast, at in seasonings of half bunch Set about potatoes of Boil With of the on the about fat,if flour, as whites to take a it with soon as and stewpanand in ter. but- great a potatoes. cut bay-leaf; a cooked. ; when the and with pork sprigs and the fire bunch a the a white leave ; and drops a butter ; necessary in washed fire the on them of beaten add, gives water of with lemon-rind a salt two water. for a and "Peel Pork of quart the fried, put taste, off Salt or on of potatoes, in, stirring together, Butter, salt quart well whole with it time a it mix ; continually cold, nearly a by cook of half stew-pan, the whole a mixture spoon of all salt, on absorb They a fat with or or absorbed warm. of knife, a till and half ounces set the put of now Bacon When to fire, stirring gently about thyme, milk nutmeg set have them put butter, ; they saucepan tle, lit- rather oven ounces four and the little a and with butte-r. served eggs, four Put sugar. quick them five and grated, ; smooth back a serve. mash and peel of pint a turning are and till off, peel, saucepan, slow ounces by half after Prepare " quart a it, little longer a rather With them take a and pepper, deal saucepan with about the and in ley, pars- potatoes, a potatoes, in color, in into they scallop and quart while, little of butter fire, pour stirring, the when whole quarter a ounce an done, Serve serve. without them mash Potato. sprinkle taste. Steam the then them and on, ; fry place ; salt fire in, and served to and peel then and be of butter, any also brush, quick a golden parsley may on potatoes without chopped two the hot, put when Put frying-pan a a ounces with them peel potatoes, cut Cook to when cooked, carefully, peel out place a them white on a sauce, and warm and BELLEFONTE, REV. T. W. WYLIE SIR DEAR I inclose : February from extract an the 1870. report, suitable,I think, for the pamphlet. H. COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL OF instructive interestingand of N. MCALLISTER. PENNSYLVANIA. the Professor of Agricu ture to the Board report AgriculturalCollege of Pennsylvania,for 1869, in relation to the results with that institution, experiments made upon the three several experimental farms connected make the following extracts of we touching the Potato, verifyingand illustrating some principlesset forth in the above essay : From an of the of Trustees of the 1st." Of of upward Rose, and WEIGHTS CENTRAL FARM. bushels fourth bushels of 3d." Combined Preparing No^ n large and to 278 between Diversity OF and per Goodrich " " 239 Sub-soil and " all Letting between and Grow Sprouts 208 bushels per and acre; acre. " Diversity tubers,yields 500 pounds, equal to 234 cut " tubers, yields410 Common soil and FARM. The 4 plots,Nos. 16, 116, and 416 u, 216 the 2 plots,Nos. bushels pounds, equal to 221 per acre; yields1845 pounds, equal to but 131 bushels per acre. CENTRAL 6200 GKOUNI). Seed. pounds, equal to bushels Soil the Early " whole tubers, yields419 tttbers, yields486 pounds, equal small Plot Early Goodrich, Ear'y AREAS EQUAL of acre; per medium-sized acre; per Modes Different One " 286 pounds, equal to " UPON SEED OF 2d. the experimented upon, most prolific. and the best among are Varieties. varieties thirtydifferent Harrison LIKE 4th. 12, : Thinning and Plowing. sub-soil and to 316 plowing " yields ing plow- " common Three in each Hill. whole not : Monitors; large tubers, 2i-|-pounds; Philips'ssuperphosphate; yield 1174 pounds, equal to 168 bushels per acre. whole Plot No. 's tubers, 23 pounds ; thinned ; Moro Philips ; large and 209 : Monitors superphosphate ; yield 1042 pounds, equal to 149 bushels per acre. Plot tubers, 15 pounds; not thinned ; stable No. 210: Monitors; large and whole bushels 860 to manure equal yield pounds, 124 per acre. ; Plot No. 211 : Monitors; large and whole tubers, 14! pounds ; thinned ; stable manure; yield839 pounds, equal to 119 bushels per acre. EASTERN thinned ; FARM.- Plot Plot No. Moro 5th." bushels " Plot No. 222: per acre. 223 : Diversity Monitors; Monitors; cut front cut at time tivo Time weeks of Cutting the Seed-Potatoes. beforeplanting; yield 580 pounds, equal of planting; yield819 pounds, equal to 117 bushels to 83 per acre. Plot bushels Plot per Early Shaw; 220: per 221 cut two weeks beforeplanting; yield 764 pounds, equal to 100 acre. : Early Shaw; cut at time of planting; acre. Massasoit. 32 yield907 pounds, equal to 129 bushels JZresee's Peerless, JVb. or 6. This for the main crop. seedlings seed-ball the Garnet a seedling of Chili,and originatedfrom the same the Rose skin as dull white,occasionally russeted ; eyes shallow, oblong ; Early ; flesh white, mealy ; and a half one grows to a largesize,often weighing from of to two pounds, and enormously productive. At a trial before a committee THE latest and best of all Mr. Bresee's is also the Massachusetts votes more to as Society,in September last,this varietyobtained any other of Bresee's seedlings. Horticultural qualitythan EXPERIMENTS. OF TABLE JRY IT JlESULTS. DEPORT AND Ibs. pounds large-sized potatoes, planted whole Two oo " " " " cut into " " " " cut to singleeyes " " " " cut to singleeyes " " " " quarters oo oo and fifteen planted in drills, planted four inches in between a hill oo . the . sets, pounds small potatoes, planted whole Two " Two pounds cut " To " " to " " these productof add each cut singleeye, such other in and two oo oo pieces worked oo in ridges kept flat the surface experiments . as may be and report weight,average, carefully, 33 oo oo interestingto size of each you. Weigh the lot,and quality. IZrezee's King of the lEarlies. net Brezee,of Hubbardtown, Vt.,from a ball of the Garand leaves of medium Chili. Vines bearing no balls; height,or a little less, flattened ; eyes small,and large; tubers largeand handsome, roundish and slightly somewhat or dull,pinkishwhite ; flesh white, cooks pinkish; skin flesh-colored, and for the table. is of the best quality Has proven thus far very hardy. The well, will not be sent out until the springof 1870. variety Raised,in 1862,by THE Originatedin Albert EARLY Michigan,in 1866,from flattened at the ends. "shape, MOHAWK a cross Skin lightpink,with POTATO. of the Peachblow pink blush near cooks dry and mealy, and of superiorflavor. Ripens from six to ten size,and but few small ones, and perfectlyfree from Core or Hollow variety. and Brick Eye. It is of oblong,roundish the eye. sunken, flesh whitef Eyes slightly days earlierthan the Rose, of uniform large Heart, and a superiorWinter and Spring Itrezee's This Mr. Prolific. with Albert Brezee, Esq., of Hubbardtown, Vt., in 1861. varietyoriginated the the originator of was Early Rose, the seed producingboth that and and both are net Prolific, seed-ball, seedlingsof the Garbeing from the same Brezee Brezee's Chili. vines The of Brezee's Prolific spreading,and with of medium are leaves very large large,regular in shape, and Tubers flattened dull white, inclined skin ; ; as very to be height,quitebushy, and have produced yet they smooth, slightly oblong, and russeted ; eyes no but somewhat seed-balls. very much little depressed and pinkish; flesh white, rarelyif ever hollow ; cooks quickly,and slightly and of excellent quality. Yield very large,maturing three weeks later is very than mealy Early the Rose. Worth leads " I. As work and to me "II. and Obsewing. lay down the " An following as experienced cultivator safe rules earlyas possible, layyour plans for in advance. ground accordingly, your the best seed, even Secure less valuable if it cost " My experience : the you says, season's next two or planting,and five times as much as manure a mon com- sort. it has been tested and proved. as as soon Always get a new, improved variety, it gets so comRemember the profitis mainly made When mon by the earlycultivators. will sell too. can have to cheap, that_y0tt buy cheap, you IV. Buy only from reliable dealers,and be sure you get i\\Qgenuine article. V. if you possiblycan, in the fall or winter ; you thus BUY, or at least ORDER, the spring rise of prices. save "III. " " " VI. Liberal in money, outlayfor seed,manure, as well as satisfaction." tools,and work givesten-fold the turn largestre- THE GLEASON. seedlingof 1860,of the Pink Eye Rusty Coat, No. 15, which it closely When two described it thus : years old,Mr. Goodrich Longish,rusty, vine's and dark leaves flowers white ; a very hopefulsort." green ; coppery ; tember Sepin the hill; 29th, 1863, at digging time, he added: "Very nice; many The two disease." no 1865 and 1866,under Dr. Gray's cultivation, this seasons, of four hundred the at rate bushels to the varietyyielded acre, being more tive producThis variety than the parent. gives the best satisfaction. The tubrse are not but numerous solid flesh,that cooks white. For fine-grained, ; have overgrown, It is a good keeper,and has a fine,rich flavor, this kind is excellent. winter use when baked. especially Also a resembles. " Willard. J. J. H. Gregory " The Willard is a seedlingfrom the Early says of this potato : and is a half be to a earlyvariety,enormously productive, Goodrich. It proves potato of good promise. The flesh is white It is of a rich rose " 36 color,spotted and splashedwith white. EARLY THE ROSE. net seedlingof the Garoriginatedin Chili,that was 1 86 1, by Albert Brezee, Esq., an of Hortonville, farmer intelligent I have Vt. experimented with it It is " a years, and for three been have it that pleased with purchased all Mr. well so I have could Brezee years, and of his whole for the last two spare have engaged the crop for another year. It has a stout, erect stalk, small " height; largeleaves of medium flowers ; freely tuber is The bears ; fruit. no quitesmooth, nearly varying to flattish at cylindrical, toward the centre, taperinggradually each end. Eyes shallow, stronglymarked. sharp thin,tough,of a dull bluish and but Skin tle white,solid,and brit- color. Flesh rarelyhollow : boils through of is very mealy, and table quality. It is as quickly; best the ; healthy and productive as the about Early Goodrich, matures and is its supeten days earlier, rior The for the table. good excellent and " a beautiful this of outline is cut sort. it the most I consider ising prom- very earlypotato with which I am acquainted,and I have tried nearly all the early sorts of the country.' ffow In an ^Double to Tour ordinaryhot-bed split your When or potato, and the sprouts side lay it cut four are Crop, when cold frame, put or six some about down and JYew have you of inches three 'RareJCinds. good, loose,rich inches under high,liftthe potato, slipoff five inches the " soil ; surface. the sprouts, and plant them. You then can the tuber cut the sprouts will this with much or valuable By farmer secured a ripen two weeks handful of potatoes. more than I did, if he singleeyes, into before the others. Every secures and reader a few usual. plantas I made is welcome pounds The crop $40 this year by trying to of the it,and may and newer W. carefully from make observing improve his his the own of experiments method fields. 37 and add others9 largely the to as costlybut kinds. ^()ill from judicious the income Goodrich. Early A " seedlingof Round the of Cusco longish; sometimes to 1860. crease a In 1862, Mr. Goodrich the insertion of the root at bright lilac ; (produces)many balls ; yieldlarge. good. This sort is No. I everyway." in the springof 1864 : He said to me faction satisThis earlysort givesme more Table described ; white ; it- flowers* qualityis alreadyvery '* than grown." as yieldsfrom to never I noticed 1 7th,)every potato in cracked had a by S. to-day,(Nov. largedishful most peeled-itself had skin perience. ex- my from skin,^and its the of them dinner at ; superiorquality. fullysustained is per disease any description by D. above The ever bushels 350 shown is white-fleshed,and of Heffron have varietyripens early Kidney ; on rich soil 250 ; has I as the Ashleaf acre other any This W. half off. of 3)ixon, I?. W. "Rer. Pine Grove, gives the results of his rience expein the following note : " " A me gave PINE GROVE, MERCER September ) 1868. j year ago last spring,a friend three earlyGoodrich toes, pota- which I planted four hill,and last fall I raised bushel. I had in the Co., PA., 20, lot. same about the hill as Our the four the in over one a Buckeye planted The Goodrich times as duced pro- much to Buckeye." country may well honor experimentsand should eyes stimulate the memory of Rev. C. E. Goodrich, who, has patienttoil, produced such wonderful results. every farmer to make a similar line of by vering perse- His cess suc- experiments. total potato crop of the State of State." The Crop of New-York The six great potato counties are York, this year, is about 25,000,000 bushels. St. Lawrence, and Genesee. Washington, Rensselaer,Saratoga,Monroe, Only one other county (Oneida) produces 300,000 bushels ; three others, 600,000; one, Potato New- 500,000; six,400,000. New- York crop of the State,25,000,000 three counties in the State, which county returns a bushels,is raised crop on of 1700 254,403 bushels. acres The of land. tire en- The produce the most potatoes, join each other,viz., Washington, Rensselaer, and Saratoga their aggregate productionreachingwithin than one fraction of 2,500,000 bushels, or more a eighthof the total product of the " whole State." TV. Y. Observer. 38 CLIMAX. It has a stout,erect of stalk, full medium internodes height, of medium length,, and leaves ; the tuber is above medium in size, quitesmooth, in form of a very large short cylinder swelled out at the centre, occasionally ing and terminatflattened, slightly and ; eyes shallow, sharp,sometimes swelled out or projecting, abruptly denned skin netted medium or thickness,considerably russet, always strongly ; and never hollow,and it boils, tough, white ; flesh entirely white,solid, heavy,brittle, with no hard core at centre or stem, is mealy,of floury whiteness,. throughquickly, and of superiortable quality. rather *Prince. Early in 1864. of the EarlyYork, and was propagated seedling than the as to ten earlier EarlyRose, far as days It has provedto be from a are concerned,and from two to three weeks earlierin quality. size and solidity THE Early 'Prince is a week 40
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