Indigenous Potatoes of North America. 145 



and more deepl}- incised into lobes. The stolons are usually much shorter 

 and the tubers are smaller, nearly round, and when first dug are of a beauti- 

 ful creamy white color. 



Both species were found growing side by side, on little benches of alluvial 

 along streams on the slopes of the Huachuca Mountains of Southern Arizona. 

 We also found them invading the few gardens of the region at lower alti- 

 tudes, flourishing among the cabbages and monster snow-flakes as though 

 friendly to cultivation and inviting attention. For popular convenience, 

 these species may be discussed as the purple and the white potatoes. 



Perhaps a third species may be yet derived from plants found near the 

 summit of the highest peak of the Huachuca. at an altitude of 9,000 feet. 

 This potato, as shown by the specimens accompanying, has its leaflets sim- 

 ple or at most in threes, while its stolons sometimes originate from the 

 aerial portion of the stem, running out over ground a long distance, then 

 turning downward with sharp, needle-like points that penetrate the earth 

 and finally bear tubers at their extremities. However, plants raised from 

 seeds of this kind, last year, presented multiparted leaves, subterranean 

 runners, and it behaved in other respects like the purple potato first des- 

 cribed. Seedling tubers and fresh seeds of this plant are herewith shown, 

 and the remarkable fact discovered that the tubers are largest of all the 

 specimens produced this past season. 



Simultaneously with the announcement of this re-discovery and obtain- 

 ment of a stock of native potatoes, I notified cultivators that these tubers 

 would be distributed for a small nominal sum on application. Many res- 

 ponded, representing all sections of our Union and several countries abroad. 

 I required careful reports of cultivation, methods, success or failure, from 

 all. A digest of the first year's report of experiments — that of 1883 — was 

 published in the Pacific Rural Press, of San Francisco, November 17. 



SAMPLES OF REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS 



Mrs. M. F. Williams, of Oakland, Cal : •' In March we received one dozen 

 of the Arizona potatoes, the largest of which measured not quite 2 inches 

 longest circumference, and 1^ the shortest, the others much smaller. Planted 

 them in April, in sandy loam, moderately enriched, and with a sunnj' ex- 

 posure. Late in May we noticed seven tiny dark green shoots, which rap- 

 idly developed, and by the last of June the foliage was abundant. The 

 plants were prostrate, spreading, and the leaflets narrow. In July, a fe-w 

 small blossoms appeared, but no seed-bolls formed. About October 14, we 

 dug all the potatoes, and found that our seven plants had yielded 565 tubers. 

 Six of the plants proved to be of the white variety, the other the flesh-color, 

 the latter producing 63 potatoes. The largest of these was 3i inches, long- 

 est circumference, and 22, shortest; epidermis slightly warty. All aver- 

 aged larger than the white. Largest of the white, 2h inches, longest circum- 

 ference; 2|, shortest. These potatoes are certainly very prolific, the yield 

 •being over eighty-fold. We are hopeful of success." 



