The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 11

Tubers nearly round, yellowish-white; eyes deep-set; flesh yellow, and strong flavored when cooked. Unfit for table use.

Aside from the difference in form, the variety somewhat resembles the Rohan.

JACKSON WHITE.

This comparatively new but very excellent variety originated in Maine; and is supposed to be a seedling from the celebrated Carter, which it much resembles. Tubers yellowish-white, varying in size from medium to large; form somewhat irregular, but generally roundish, though sometimes oblong and a little flattened; eyes rather numerous, and deeply sunk; flesh perfectly white when cooked, remarkably dry, mealy, farinaceous, and well flavored.

The variety unquestionably attains its greatest perfection when grown in Maine, or the northern sections of Vermont and New Hampshire; but is nevertheless of good quality when raised in the warmer localities of New England and the Middle States. It is earlier than the Davis Seedling; comparatively free from disease; a good keeper; commands the highest market-price; and, every thing considered, must be cla.s.sed as one of the best, and recommended for general cultivation.

The plants are very erect, the flowers nearly white; and the b.a.l.l.s, or berries, are produced in remarkable abundance.

JENNY LIND.

Rhode-Island Seedling.

A variety of comparatively recent introduction. Plant very strong and vigorous; tubers of extraordinary size when grown in strong soils, long and somewhat irregular in form, thickly set on the surface with small k.n.o.bs, or protuberances, above which the eyes are placed in rather deep basins, or depressions; color red and white intermixed, in some specimens mostly red, while in others white is the prevailing color; flesh yellow when cooked, and quite coa.r.s.e, but esteemed by many as of good quality for table use.

One of the largest of all the varieties, remarkably productive, quite free from disease, keeps well, and, as an agricultural potato, rivals the Rohan. Requires the full season. It sports more than any potato; being exceedingly variable in size, form, and color.

LADY'S FINGER.

Ruffort Kidney. _Law._

Stem from one foot and a half to two feet high, of straggling habit of growth; leaves smooth, and of a light-green color; blossoms rarely if ever produced; tubers white, smooth, long, and slender, and of nearly the same diameter throughout; eyes very numerous, and slightly depressed.

A very old variety, of pretty appearance, long cultivated, and much esteemed as a baking potato; its peculiar form being remarkably well adapted for the purpose. It is, however, very liable to disease; and as many of the recently introduced seedlings are quite as good for baking, as well as far more hardy and productive, it cannot now be considered as a variety to be recommended for general culture.

LAPSTONE KIDNEY. _M'Int._

Nichol's Early.

A variety of English origin. M'Intosh describes it as being "decidedly the best kidney potato grown, and an excellent cropper. Tubers sometimes seven inches in length, and three inches in breadth. It is longer in coming through the ground in spring than most other varieties, and the stems at first appear weakly; but they soon lose this appearance, and grow most vigorously. It is a first-rate potato in August and September; and will keep in excellent condition till May following, without losing either its mealiness or flavor."

LONG RED.

Form long, often somewhat flattened,--its general appearance being not unlike that of the Jenny Lind, though of smaller size; color red; flesh marbled or clouded with red while crude, but, when cooked, becoming nearly white. The stem-end is often soggy, and unfit for use; and the numerous p.r.o.ngs and k.n.o.bs which are often put forth on the sides of the tubers greatly impair their value for the table.

A few years since, this variety was exceedingly abundant in the market, and was esteemed one of the best sorts for use late in spring and early in summer. It was also remarkably healthy and very productive, and was considered one of the most valuable kinds for general cultivation. It has somewhat improved in quality by age, although not now to be cla.s.sed as a potato of first quality. The Jenny Lind and other varieties are now rapidly superseding it in most localities.

MEXICAN.

A very handsome white variety, long and smooth, like the St. Helena, but not quite so large; eyes very slightly depressed. It is of poor quality, quite unproductive, rots badly, and not worthy of cultivation.

NOVA-SCOTIA BLUE.

This old variety, at one period, was very extensively cultivated, and for many years was considered the most profitable of all the sorts for raising for market or for family use. Form nearly round, the larger specimens often somewhat flattened; color light blue; eyes moderately depressed; flesh white, dry, and good. It yields abundantly; but, in consequence of its great liability to disease, its cultivation is now nearly abandoned.

OLD KIDNEY.

Tubers kidney-shaped, white; flesh yellow, rather waxy, and of indifferent flavor.

It is neither very productive, nor very valuable in other respects; and it is now little cultivated.

PEACH-BLOW.

Tubers similar in form to the Davis Seedling, but rather more smooth and regular; color red, the eyes not deeply sunk; flesh yellow when cooked, dry and mealy, but only of medium quality, on account of its comparatively strong flavor.

It is hardy and quite productive; keeps well; and is extensively cultivated for market in the northern parts of New England and the State of New York, as well as in the Canadas. It is common to the markets of most of the large seaport cities; and, during the winter and spring, is shipped in large quant.i.ties to the interior and more southern sections of the United States. The Davis Seedling--which is quite as productive, and much superior in quality for table use--might be profitably grown as a subst.i.tute.

PINK-EYED.

Tubers nearly round; eyes rather large and deep; color mostly white, with spots and splashes of pink, particularly about the eyes; flesh yellow.

The Pink-eyed is an old but inferior variety, hardly superior in quality to the Vermont White. Though quite productive, it is generally esteemed unworthy of cultivation.

POGGY, OR PORGEE.

Cow-horn.

A dark-colored variety, extensively cultivated in the British Provinces, particularly in Nova Scotia; and, during the autumn, imported in considerable quant.i.ties into the princ.i.p.al seaports of the United States. It is of excellent quality, and by some preferred to all others, especially for baking; for which purpose, on account of its size and remarkable form, it seems peculiarly adapted. It is moderately productive, and succeeds well if seed is procured every year or two from the East; but, if otherwise, it soon deteriorates, even under good cultivation.

Size above medium; form long, broadest, and somewhat flattened, at the stem-end, and tapering towards the opposite extremity, which is often more or less sharply pointed. It is also frequently bent, or curved; whence the name "Cow-horn," in some localities. Skin smooth; eyes not depressed; color dark-blue outside, white within when cooked. Not very hardy; requiring a full season for its complete perfection. Unless where well known, its color is objectionable; and it is generally less salable than the white-skinned varieties.

QUARRY.

A large, white, roundish, English potato, not unlike the variety universally known and cultivated many years since in this country as the Orange Potato. Plant vigorous, and of strong, stocky habit; flowers purple, generally abortive; flesh yellowish-white, of fair quality for table use. A hardy, very productive sort, which might be profitably grown for marketing and for agricultural purposes. The plants survive till frost. Not early.

ROHAN.

Tubers very large, in form much resembling the Jenny Lind,--the full-developed specimens being long, and the smaller or immature tubers nearly round; eyes numerous and deep-set; color yellowish-white, with clouds or patches of pink or rose; flesh greenish-white when cooked, yellowish, watery, and strong flavored. The plant is strong and vigorous, and continues its growth till destroyed by frost. The flowers are generally abortive.

Mr. Hyde describes it as a variety famous in history, but infamous as a table potato, and fit only for stock. It formerly gave an immense yield, but now produces only moderate crops; and its cultivation is nearly abandoned.

SHAW'S EARLY. _M'Int._