NEW POTATOES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 10

NEW POTATOES.

REPUTED BLIGHT RESISTANT VARIETY. 'ltecent papers contain references to a new variety of potato known as "Vitality," which is claimed to he blight resistant. This potato was introduced by Mr. James Richardson, Old Leake, near Boston, and some of the Lincolnshire growers—in. which county over 8O,fl0l) acres were planted in. potatoes last season—have shown great faith in it. The "Mark Laii? Express" reports as follows: "It is said that this tuber has done remarkably well, and though not sprayed, lias emerged through this year's wretched atmospheric conditions absolutely free from blight. It was.in 1896 that Mr. Richardson, from an. apple off one of Konr's varieties, managed to real- tlio Vitality tuber. It is a very big cropper, of good flavour, nice shape, a rougnish .skin, with shallow eyes and white flesh. There are a fair number 1 of the.se tubers about, for in five years 110 less than 28 tons have been raised, and .Mr. Richardson has been awarded the champion prize for its heavy cropping capacity, the weight at the time Df lifting being estimated at 17 tons per acre. There is little doubt that if this tuber really possesses the robust constitution claimed for it, Mr. Richardson will reap .1 rich reward, ami at the, same time earn the gratitude of potato growers in all ,parts of Great Britain." Another comparatively new sort, which is likely 'to find great favour as a second early, is the Queen Mary, which comes from Scotland. It is of the kidney shape, n heavy cropped, and has so far kept free from disease.