Mar. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 189 



Potatoes, 



R. H. GENNYS, 

 (lien Innes P^xperimental Farm. 



The potato (Solanuin tuberosimi) is a native of America, and next to wheat 

 and other vahiable cereals, forms a most important food for man. 



The potato, as Dr. Langworthy, of America, has stated, is in reality a 

 modified stem — not the root of the plant — being shortened and thickened to 

 .serve as a storehouse for reserve material for the propagation of new plants. 

 The tiesh makes up tlae bulk of the jiotato, and peeling removes the outer 

 and inner skins. The loss of the skin is a much greater loss of nutritive 

 material than is generally thought. Cooking with skins on, more especially 

 when boiled, is generally to be recommended. 



The edible portion of the potato is made uj) of about the following : — 



Per cent. 



Carbohydrates (chiefly starch) 18 '4 

 Ash L ... ." 1-0 



On account of the large proportion of carbohydrates, potatoes may be 

 classed as carbohydrates, or starchy food. 



Potatoes as a food yield energy, but play a small part only in building up 

 tissue on account of the small protein content. One oVgect in potato 

 selection should be with a view to increasing this protein content. 



Potatoes may be grown in most soils, but light soils containing plenty of 

 potasli are much to be preferred ; the loose soil allows the tubers to expand 

 properly. 



A well-drained sandy loam well supplied with humus is an ideal potato 

 soil. The heavier clay lands are not nearly so suitable. They hold the 

 moisture too well and may induce rot ; also the potato is often contracted 

 and out of shape. Tubers may also be successfully grown under fresh green 

 sod, but are apt to be flat. The land at all times must be worked deeply 

 before planting and be in good mechanical condition, and in after cultivation 

 sufficient moisture must be maintained near the surface. In the after culti- 

 vation there should be a fair depth with cultivator at first, and very shallow 

 as the stalks approach maturity. Avoid cutting surface roots. In veiy wet 

 land and where there is a heavy rainfall it is better to hill the plants ; this 

 helps to drain the land. In drier soils and with poorer rainfall flat cultivation 

 is the best, but much after cultivation between the drills must be indulged 

 in to destroy weeds and conserve moisture. 



Potatoes should not be planted in the same soil two years in succession, 

 and are more profitably grown in a rotation of crops. This allows the land 

 to recover, and also tends to destroy any diseases left in the soil. They are 

 a capital preparation for a wheat crop, saving much labour in getting ready 



