Christian Müller/ Christ Miller and his Early Rose Seed Potatoes

During his time in Iowa, Christ Miller had a small farm just west of the town of Jewell, Iowa.  The farm was located in section 25 of Hamilton Township in Hamilton County and he owned around 120 acres.  

 

 

 

The Non Population Schedule of 1880 gives us a clue into the make up of his farm.  The non population schedule shows that he was renting the land.  This is either wrong or he eventually bought the land at a later date, since there are records showing that he sold it in the mid 1890's.  This schedule collects data on what the farmer had or did for the year 1879.  Grandpa Miller had 36 acres in tilled land and 15 acres in meadow. His farm equipment was valued at 275.00 dollars and livestock valued at 486.00 dollars.  He paid out 165.00 dollars in labor cost for work done on the farm and this laborer/s worked for 52 weeks.  His gross income for 1879 was 745.00 dollars.  He also had 30 acres in hay.  He grew 30 acres of  corn that produced 1,000 bushels.  There was six acres of wheat and 1 acre of potatoes that produced 75 bushels.  

He owned three horses, seven milk cows, six other cows, with seven calves.  The milk cows produced 600 pounds of butter.  He also raised nineteen pigs and sixty chickens.   I would assume they sold the excess eggs, but the schedule doesn't not say. 

1880 Non-Population Schedule Hamilton County Iowa 

Potatoes must have been an important farm commodity that he grew.  I found an ad that he put in the Jewell Record newspaper on September 10, 1896.  He was advertising that he had "Early Rose" seed potatoes for sale.  He was selling them for 25 cents per bushel and he also had strawberry plants for sale and mentions that is is time to set them out!  Here is the newspaper ad that I found:

 

 The Jewell Record Newspaper September 10, 1896 

 

  I had never heard of this variety of potato, so I wrote to the horticulture department at Iowa State University and he was kind enough to give me a brief history and a link for more information. 

 

History of the Early Rose Potato 

 "The Early Rose potato is a variety developed by Charles Blackmer and Grown by Albert Bresee of Hubbardton, Vermont.  The potato has tall green vines that develop white flowers when in bloom.  The tubers are large and have an edible pink skin.  The flesh is smooth and white in color with streaks of red.  The Early Rose is a perennial potato grown as an annual crop.  It's a cool weather crop and grows best in areas with cooler summers.  Extreme heat can limit both tuber production, quantity, and size.  The potato is a member of the nightshade family of plants which include tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.  It grows well in drained, fertile soil, favors a pH. from 5.0-5.5, and benefits from mid-season fertilization.

After its introduction by Albert Bresee in 1861, the potato gained widespread popularity.  by 1868, the potato was widely sold by B.K Bliss and Sons of New York for $1 per pound.  The Early Rose was prized for its resistance to blight, common pests, and its superior taste.  It was one of the first commercially successful potatoes and contributed to the massive growth of the potato farming industry during the late 19th century.  During the colonization of New England, potatoes sustained the people and were highly valued as a food source. (Early Rose became the parent to many commercial varieties, including the well-known Russet Burbank.)

Like many heirloom plants, the Early Rose was relegated to obscurity by the production of cheaper, easier to grow potatoes like the Yukon Gold and Russet.  The commercial viability of the Early Rose was diminished by the necessity of cool weather climates, which are not always present across North America.  As the potato industry grew, taste was valued less than other attributes such as efficiency, low cost, uniform shape, durability in long distance shipment, long shelf life and ease of processing.  These factors were valued over the rich flavor profile of the Early Rose and contributed to the diminishing nutritional value of the potato. 

Heirloom potatoes are divided into two main textures, floury and starchy. The Early Rose falls into the starchy texture category.  The taste of the potato is rich in consistency with a light potato flavor.  The potato is considered a more balanced version of other red all-purpose varieties.  It's a good choice for all types of cuisine including salad, dumplings, soup, and sweet baked goods. The Early Rose is a great compliment to many other vegetables and can be mashed, roasted, boiled and included in casseroles."    

Early Rose Potato - Arca del Gusto. Slow Food Foundation. (2018, December 10). Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/early-rose-potato/#:~:text=The%20Early%20Rose%20potato%20is,color%20with%20streaks%20of%20red

After learning about the Rose potato, I tried to find some to plant this year, but no one had any in stock.  Hopefully, one day I can give them a try, but with them needing cool summers, they might not do to well where I live.  I did manage to find some Colorado Rose potatoes and will look forward to growing them this summer.