THE POTATO 75 



past century, it is not at all likely that a potato of 

 good quality that will be disease-proof for any con- 

 siderable number of years will ever be brought out. 



"It was reported from France last year that, 

 after many unsuccessful efforts, a cross between 

 the cultivated potato and the wild potato — 

 Solanum Commersoni — had been brought out 

 and gave every promise of high disease-resisting 

 power, but that it was not well adapted for table 

 use, as its cooking quality left much to be desired. 

 It seems clear enough, therefore, that growers need 

 not rush wildly after any so-called disease-proof 

 new variety for protection against the Phytoph- 

 thora infestans, but that they should follow the 

 lead of common sense and science in the preven- 

 tion of the disease. • 



"Planting good-sized tubers, whose first sprouts 

 have been carefully preserved, is a most impor- 

 tant matter in the way of maintaining the con- 

 stitutional vigor of the plant. As a matter of 

 course also, preference should be given to those 

 varieties which show the greatest capacity for 

 resisting the disease — that is to say, if their crop- 

 ping powers and cooking qualities are up to the 

 mark. For those who farm in the warmer and 

 earlier climate south of the Borders, it is also a 

 most important fact, as was urged upon the at- 

 tention of growers seventy years ago, that seed 

 potatoes should be brought from a colder and later 

 climate than that in which they are to be planted. 

 Seed tubers that have been harvested before being 

 fully ripened are also to be preferred. " 



