THE POTATO 41 



"Or, in other words, 'the three R's' of the ideal 

 potato are: Reproductiveness, ReHsh, Robust- 

 ness." 



It must always be remembered that varieties 

 moved from one locality to another, especially with 

 radical changes of conditions such as European 

 varieties brought to America, must be acclimated 

 before the best results can be expected. It is possi- 

 ble that excellent sorts imported from England 

 have been discarded before they have become 

 thoroughly adapted to our conditions. 



In Europe potatoes are classed as "soft" and 

 "hard," depending on their texture and keeping 

 quality. When cut seed of the "soft" varieties is 

 used it is apt to decay rapidly. 



The experts in the United States Department of 

 Agriculture are doing a great work in breeding 

 and hybridizing potatoes. In 1910 Prof. L. C. 

 Corbett of the Bureau of Horticulture, who is in 

 charge of the Experimental Farm at Arlington, 

 near Washington, was growing 40,000 plants — 

 the results of cross-pollinizing almost every known 

 variety. Careful records are kept of every plant. 

 In the experimental potato field over one half mil- 

 lion tubers were produced. 



This work gives promise of wonderful results for 

 the American potato grower in new varieties that 

 will be greater yielders of a higher class product, 

 stronger growers, and more disease resistant. 



The varieties of potatoes in highest favor differ 

 in almost every locality, as has been already noted. 

 In order to give an idea of the varieties being tried, 

 with some views as to their value, quotations will 

 be made from several sources. This information 

 will be of comparative value, only, to the individual 



