18 THE POTATO 



At Prospect Farm, at Redstone, on Crystal 

 River, in the coal fields of western Colorado, 

 potatoes were grown for the camp during the early 

 '80 's. This farm was maintained for eight or ten 

 years, then abandoned. Potatoes have grown 

 in this neglected field from year to year without 

 replanting, ever since that time. Under the con- 

 ditions in this natural home of the potato the 

 growth of the plant is checked by the frosting of 

 the haulm, or top, in the early fall. This stops the 

 rank, watery growth and the tuber ripens in the 

 dry soil. This growth checking seems an essen- 

 tial in the growing of the highest class product, 

 and where frost does not come in time the same 

 effect has been secured by mowing off the tops. 



Since potatoes have been grown commercially 

 under similar conditions to those in the home of 

 the wild potato, it has been found that varieties 

 last longer there without "running out" or ""chang- 

 ing seed." Old varieties that have become less 

 valuable each year in other districts are revitalized 

 and restored to their original perfection when 

 planted there. The places referred to are the 

 Carbondale district in Colorado; the Twin Falls 

 country and other sections along Snake River in 

 Idaho; and an instance of this reinvigoration is 

 the success of the "Perfect Peachblow" at Mt. 

 Sopris Farm, Carbondale, Col. At Dalmeny Farms, 

 Edinburgh, Scotland, conditions are similar in 

 some particulars, and potatoes live over winter in 

 the ground and produce crops the next year. 



While the potato grows best and with the least 

 care from man in its native habitat, it has been 

 adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions. 

 It is successfully grown in practically every coun- 

 try in the temperate zone and in some places under 



