EXERCISE 48 

 THE IRISH POTATO 



Object. To become familiar with the structure of the 

 potato and to determine the qualities that affect its value. 



Explanation. The potato is an underground enlarge- 

 ment of the potato plant. It is commonly called a tuber. 

 The tuber serves as a means of storing reserve plant food to be 

 used later in the development of new plants. The eye of the 

 potato is a dormant bud from which the new plant develops. 

 The interior of the potato is filled with starch and serves 

 as food for the new plant. The potato is used as one of the 

 principal foods of man. Its value for food is affected by 

 its freedom from injury and disease, smoothness, depth of 

 eyes, and size. A good potato should be smooth, free from 

 disease, of medium size, and have medium shallow eyes. 



Equipment. 1. Twenty pounds of potatoes of various 

 shapes and sizes, and if possible of different varieties. 



2. Balance weighing to one half of one gram. 



3. A paring knife. 



Directions. Weigh out fifteen pounds of potatoes and 

 make a detailed study of them. Use the outline form "A 

 Study of the Potato " to record the results of the examina- 

 tion. 



Shape. Make a study of the shape of the potatoes by 



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