POTATO VARIETIES. 323 



the result of her work. Potatoes should be stored in a 

 dark, dry place and protected from heat. If left in the 

 field for a time the piles should be covered with boards, 

 straw or canvass. 



Varieties. As with other vegetables, California has 

 tried many kinds of potatoes and grows very few on a 

 commercial scale. The first notable varieties were brought 

 from Chili and Peru in very early days, and are still 

 grown in a small way though the main crop is now made 

 of newer kinds because in some localities the old varieties 

 ran out and showed great susceptibility to blight. The 

 blight, which in some years is a serious menace to potato 

 growing, has been partially escaped by the introduction of 

 new varieties which were thrifty, while the old varieties 

 on adjacent ground perished. For this reason new varie- 

 ties should be tested in all localities. 



The potato which constitutes most of the market crop is 

 the Burbank and some variations of it are locally popular. 

 For mid-season and late potatoes nothing compares with 

 the Burbank. For early potatoes the old Early Rose still 

 prevails widely though others are encroaching upon it. 

 Triumph is a little earlier and is gaining ground. Early 

 White Rose, Early Clark and Early Ohio are chiefly popu- 

 lar in southern California. American Wonder, and Snow- 

 flake and Pearl are advancing as shipping varieties and 

 Peerless still retains favor in some localities. 



Although there are local adaptations of different va- 

 rieties, the character of the potato depends more upon 

 local conditions of soil and climate than upon the variety 

 and the same variety from different localities commands 

 widely different prices in the market. 



SWEET POTATOES. 



The sweet potato is grown in nearly all parts of Cali- 

 fornia where rich, sandy loam, suitably moist, can be 

 found. Adequate heat is essential to quality and the upper 

 coast region has localities which are deficient in this re- 

 spect, but protection from coast influences renders the pro- 

 duct satisfactory, even though distance from the ocean be 



