THE POTATO. 177 



sown with oats, using two bushels of vetches, of the white 

 flowered variety, to one of oats per acre, on land in good 

 condition. 



CHAPTER 



ESCULENT BOOTS. 



599. The Potato, one of the most important plants of the 

 farm, may be raised from the seed, and it is in this way that 

 new varieties are obtained, or it will grow from the tuber 

 or enlarged portion of the stem beneath the ground ; this 

 contains many eyes or germs, from which spring shoots 

 or stalks, which reproduce the same species or variety. 



600. If the tubers are to be planted, which is the 

 common mode of propagating the potato, it is desirable 

 that they should not be allowed to ripen fully. They 

 grow much more vigorously if dug before ripening than 

 if the plants stand till they decay in autumn. 



601. There are many varieties of the potato, but the 

 chief practical distinction is known by the terms early 

 and late. All the varieties without doubt have come from 

 the wild plants native to South America, whence they 

 were first brought into use in Europe. 



602. The potato contains a large quantity of starch in 

 combination with water, and a large percentage of potash 

 which is found in the ash, left after burning. The amount 

 of starch is different in the different varieties, some having 

 as much as thirty-two per cent. 



