406 



FIELD CROPS 



stock of potatoes is seen in the tubers' becoming somewhat 

 pinched or constricted at the seed end, and longer in propor- 

 tion to the thickness than 

 is typical of the variety. 

 One must have clearly in 

 mind the desirable type of 

 the variety, and select per- 

 sistently to that type. If 

 this policy is followed, po- 

 tatoes may be grown suc- 

 cessfully for years without 

 deterioration or without 

 having to introduce new 

 seed. Some of the desir- 

 able types of potatoes are 

 shown in Figure 137. 



The only condition 

 which seems to require a 

 change of seed is found 

 in the South. The condi- 

 tion is not brought about 

 by deterioration in the 

 stock but by the difficulty 

 experienced in keeping the 

 seed till planting time, 

 owing to the warm cli- 

 mate. Much of the seed 

 used in the South is shipped in, and in Maine, Michigan, 

 Minnesota, and some of the other Northern states a good 

 business has been developed in providing seed stock for the 

 South. This seed is usually stored in the North and ship- 

 ped south only in time for planting. 



A point that must be considered in selecting seed pota- 

 toes, especially if one is raising them for market, is the market 

 demand. Too many growers have individual preferences 



Figure 137. — Types of potatoes. _ No. 1 is an 

 undesirable type, irregular in shape and 

 with deep eyes. The others are smooth 

 and regular and have shallow eyes. No. 

 2 is Burbank; No. 3 is Carman; No. 4 

 is Early Ohio. 



