188 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:5— May, 1918 



In early spring, the "seed potatoes" are cut into pieces, each 

 piece having an eye. These are planted in furrows and covered 

 with soil. The bud soon sends out a sprout and from the base of 

 this stem appear small roots. The sprout grows above ground 

 and sends out ash-shaped leaves. The soil is usually drawn around 

 the young plants with a hoe and this forms the "hill". This 

 practice is not good as it drains moisture away from the potato. 

 The leaves take carbon dioxide from the air; water and mineral 

 substances from the soil by means of the roots ; and, in the presence 

 of sunlight, warmth and leaf -green, manufacture a liquid nourish- 

 ment. In the meantime, underground branches have started 

 from the base of the sprout which look very much like the roots 

 but are slightly larger. These underground branches receive 

 the sweetish food, which is manufactured by the leaves, and begin 

 to enlarge at their ends into potatoes. The food is stored in the 

 potato in the form of starch. 



The blossoms do not usually produce fruit. This is because it 

 has not depended upon seed but has been reproduced by man in the 

 way just described. In colonial days, the "seed-balls" or 

 "potato-balls" were quite abundant. After the blossoms fall 

 off, the plant above the ground withers and dies. The potatoes 

 are now said to be "ripe" and are dug with a hoe or potato digger. 

 On large, level farms the potatoes are dug by machines. When 

 the potatoes are harvested they are stored in bins in the cellar or 

 in a dark room where it is warm enough not to freeze the buds, 

 and cold and dark enough to keep the sprouts from starting. 

 In the spring, sprouts start from the eye of some of the potatoes. 

 The sprouts grow very rapidly, taking the nourishment out of the 

 potato until it becomes wrinkled and unfit to eat. 



B. Method of Procedure. Aim: Appreciation of common 

 things and how plants reproduce. Preparation for intelligent 

 and appreciative interest in potato growing in the spring. 



Have pupils plant potatoes in a box containing sandy soil. 

 Keep warm and moist. Watch how they grow. Take one up at 

 different intervals to show changes. Draw different stages. 

 Describe the changes. Keep a diary. Review parts of a typical 

 stem using geranium as example. Have someone draw geranium 

 on board to show stem, leaf, and buds. 



Lead pupils to find some parts in a potato. Make drawing of 

 potato beside sketch of geranium. Connect same parts with 



