9 



able to take sustenance from the soil. When the soil 

 becomes unusually consolidated, so that the tubers 

 cannot form below-ground, they form on the stem at 

 the base of each branch. When this occurs they be- 

 come green, as chlorophyl is formed in sunlight. The 

 most striking feature of these above-ground tubers is 

 that in course of time, while the stem is still green, the 

 buds or eyes sprout, and form green leaves similar to 

 those on other parts of the plant. 



Reproduction from Seed. 



The reproduction of potatoes from year to year is 

 not dependent on the tubers, though for the sake of 

 economy it is convenient to employ them for that pur- 

 pose. Although the power of producing seed has not 

 been altogether destroyed, still the plants feel the effect 

 of the treatment to which they have been for many 

 centuries subjected. The natural function of the plant 

 is to reproduce seed, the cultivation determines that it 

 shall produce tubers. The treatment which is neces- 

 sary to the development of tubers is antagonistic to the 

 plant's performing its natural functions. Where nature 

 is interfered with in one direction for any length of 

 time constitutional weakness invariably follows. It is 

 the same in the animal and vegetable kingdom. An 

 animal living under natural conditions is much more 

 reproductive than one which is kept in confinement and 

 so treated that its energies are devoted towards the 

 laying on of fat. Not only is such an animal more pro- 

 ductive, but it retains a vigorous constitution, able to 



