38 THE POTATO 



It is generally considered that seed grown at 

 high altitudes or well north is superior to lower 

 altitude or southern seed. One reason for this 

 is that the frost checks late growth and the tubers 

 do not fully mature. Partially matured seed keeps 

 better and makes stronger growing plants that are 

 less liable to disease. 



Certain districts in Maine, Wisconsin, Colorado, 

 and other states make a specialty of growing seed. 



The potato is not propagated commercially from 

 a seed, but from a cutting from the tuber, the tuber 

 being an enlargement of an underground stem. 

 Potatoes grown from the true seed ball of the 

 potato do not reproduce true to type. 



An interesting discussion of seed and varieties 

 is contained in "Potatoes," a lecture delivered by 

 Arthur W. Sutton before the Royal Horticultural 

 Society and reprinted by permission from that 

 body and Mr. Sutton. An extract follows: 



** There is a misunderstanding arising from the 

 fact that 'seed potatoes' and 'potato seed' are 

 sometimes regarded as synonymous terms. 'Seed 

 potatoes' are grown from perfectly true and reli- 

 able stocks, the crops bemg carefully examined 

 year after year wdth the special object of insuring 

 the perpetuation, unmixed, of any given variety. 

 Frequently the tubers of an ordinary crop, which 

 are too small for market, are kept back for plant- 

 ing, and dignified with the title 'Seed Potatoes.' 



"I need scarcely remind you that potatoes are 

 mere enlargements of underground stems, short- 

 ened and thickened, in which starch is stored up in 

 smaller or larger proportion according to the char- 

 acteristics of the several varieties. Like other un- 

 derground stems, the tubers possess buds or eyes. 



