A Study op Quality in Potatoes. 237 



tissue contracts and decays and a cavity is formed, rendering the tuber 

 entirely worthless. 



Quality Influenced by Texture of Soil. 



The third prime factor governing the quality of potatoes as ex- 

 pressed on page 219 is "the physical condition and type of the soil." 

 No experiments, however, have been made to demonstrate the 

 influence of these considerations upon either the cooking quality or 

 the physical aspects of potatoes. What evidence we have is based 

 upon general observation and the testimony and experience of others. 

 This evidence seems to point to the conclusion that, all other factors 

 being eliminated, quality is affected by the type and texture of the 

 soil. It may be, however, that these are adjunct factors to the 

 more fundamental factors of temperature and moisture, inasmuch 

 as both the temperature and moisture content would vary with 

 both the type and texture of the soil in its normal condition for 

 growing crops. 



One instance may here be recorded which bears evidence that 

 quality varies with the type and texture of the soil. In 1904, we 

 planted two acres of potatoes upon an area which comprised a small 

 portion of Miami fine sandy loam and the remainder of Elmira 

 clay loam of poor drainage. Carman No. 3 potatoes were planted 

 on the entire area. The soil received a dressing of 500 pounds per 

 acre of a 2-6-8 fertilizer, was well tilled and the crop sprayed several 

 times. 



At digging time the tubers from the sandy loam area were dug 

 first, and samples, having been tried by several prospective buyers, 

 were pronounced very good. Consequently, orders for their winter's 

 supply were placed, and some of these orders were filled from the 

 supply harvested from the clay area without any foreknowledge or 

 thought that they were of poor quality. In all instances the tubers 

 from the clay loam area were of poor quality, remaining firm and 

 soggy after boiling and almost unpalatable because of their flavor. 

 When baked, however, they were passable. 



Summary, 



The salient and practical lessons to which this study of soil climate 

 seems to point may be briefly summarized as follows: 



(1) Tubers grow out upon a short stem or stalk from the plant 

 stem at regular nodes above the planted tuber. It is therefore 

 necessary to plant five to six inches deep (in good soil) in order that 



