240 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



Beauty of Hebron and Early Ohio are other examples 

 of varieties which have been popular favorites over 

 much of the country for a considerable number of 

 years. In many cases varieties have been introduced, 

 highly praised, widely disseminated, largely grown, 

 and then dropped out of favor within a half-dozen 

 years. Few varieties brought from Europe have done 

 well in this country. Some American varieties have 

 become popular in Great Britain. 



In the opinion of many it is impossible to long cul- 

 tivate any variety without some deterioration in qua- 

 lity, hardiness or productiveness. Other successful 

 growers believe that the general deterioration is the 

 result of lack of care in selection or poor cultivation. 



Among the qualities desired in a variety are, vigor 

 of growth and abundant leaf surface of the plant; the 

 production of tubers of uniform size and shape, either 

 round or oval, and free from protuberances, with com- 

 paratively few "eyes," and these shallow. Potatoes 

 with a bright, light color are most attractive, but some 

 of the best varieties have a dark and unattractive skin. 

 In quality dryness and mealiness, when cooked, are 

 important points. Some of the most popular varieties 

 have no decided flavor. Early maturity and produc- 

 tiveness are most desirable qualities, rarely united in 

 any remarkable degree in one variety. Generally 

 varieties producing tubers of very great size are not 

 of first-class quality. Single tubers, weighing two or 

 three pounds each, have been produced, but those 

 weighing not more than one-half pound each are usu- 

 ally preferred. 



Culture. — The potato does best in a cool and 

 moist climate. The average yield per acre is greater 



