A NEW POTATO,

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 19

A NEW POTATO,

A curious discussion is being carried oa at present in France respecting tho now species of potato Solanum Commersoni, which was introdueod into that country a few yearj back from tho marshy rivorflats in Uruguay. One body of horticulturiEts and experts maintains that the violet variety of the Cormnersoni is 'in every respect identical, with ll;e local potato named tho blua giant M. do Vilmorin, is a well-known and experienced horticulturist, maintains that thero 13 not the lcaet difference in foliage, structure, growth, and flavour betvoou tho two tuhcrs, and ho supports his opinion by statements made by a number of recognised authorities, both plants producb aerial tubers, and in both tho underground tubon are produced on (ho main stem, immediately below the surface t>f tho soil. From thc--o facts ho conclude!-, that tho Solanum Commorsoni ig not v new specie**, hut simply a variety of the common potato Solanum luberosum. Tp this statomoat M. Lubergerie, who was ono of the first to develop tho new potato from (ho wild tubers, replies that thero is a dis tir.rt difference between the blossoms of tho two plants, that of tho Solanum CommeiTOni ha\ing a decider} jacniiu poi Ifumo, while this other is odourless ; that the aerial tubers aro far more numerous in tho ( fcic^anuni Commortoni than on the blue giant or any other cultivated potato ; thai; in flavour the Sal»num CommMSoru is decidedly Superior 1 , that it is quito immune from the potato disease, which the blue giant is not: and that it is far more prolific than any cultivated potato. M. Lubergerie quotes a number of authorities in support of his statement, and among them aro those quoted by M. Vilmoriu, who appears to have ignored cnything that did not support his thoory. He cites tho fact that thoro is occasionally a tendency manifested to rovert to the small blttor tuber that was originally jmportod from Uruguay, which is never Soen in any cultivated potato. The great advantages potsessetl by tho new potato is its great yield, ita freedom from diseaao and its boing a tablo potato. The question ac to the origin of tho violet Solanuin Commertoni has no attraction for the practical farmer. What is of greater importance to him is that it should b& iminuno to disease, a heavy croppei and a good tablo variety. That it will grow boat in irrigated land in a warm climato will greatly extend tho area over whicl* potatoes cau bn grown. — Australasian.

The Korean Mission to The Hague was one of those ineffective meai>ur<?s which iceoil on the prime mover (says an English paper). History has but repeated itself in the abdication of the Emperor as a consequence of a futile piece of folly. But Korea's troubles will not bo Temovcd by the substitution of one weak fiVuishpad;' for another, and that the Ciown Prince is a mora powerful pcrsonngo thnn the Emperor is extremely doubtful. Tho difference to Jiipun will be as little as the- difference to Korea. Tho dynasty is preserved, though tho roprc-et-nUtivo is chfingad, Tho event allows, howevei, that the duty of tho piotecting country is far from efisy of poiformance. To sot'tln Korea will make a biyger call OH the genius of Jnpan than the Manchurian war — or at least it will demand qualities which Japun hns yet to prove she possesses. Tho jjovcl'nment of a wenk and elolhful nation is often nioro diffecult, iiiul calls lor higher (>bilitict, than tho Miect'hstm withstanding of 11 strong agniwor. The task which Japan has un-dmuk-cn must involve her in odium, alul she will find — if chc ha& not alrojdy found — that her protectorate would be an easier matter if it concerned a people less sunk in sloth uud uioro apt to learn , the lessors of time and program-