190 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



OUTLINE FOR STUDY 



1. Description: 



Stem. Show how it differs from that of small grain and 

 corn. 



Leaves. Pinnate, leaflets odd in number, dark green, 

 smooth, hairy, or rough. 



Flowers. Several in a bunch; calyx and corolla five- 

 lobed ; anthers five, yellow, large, grown together ; one 

 pistil. Compare grasses. 



Fruit. A spherical, green berry, not edible, containing 

 many small seeds. 



Subterranean stem. Provided with scales here and there, 

 from whose axils root-like subterranean branches spring. 

 These branches thicken at their ends and form the tubers 

 commonly called potatoes. The fact that the tubers have 

 buds, from which leafy sprouts grow, shows that the tubers 

 are thickened branches and not a true fruit. Potatoes can 

 be grown from seed, but plants and tubers are very small 

 the first year. Gardeners grow new varieties from seed. 

 The children might grow potatoes from seeds. Just cover 

 the seeds with soil, and keep the soil moist. 



Roots. The true roots are thin and thread-like ; distin- 

 guish them from the underground branches. 



2. Wliy a very useful plant : 



a. It will grow on almost any soil. 



6. Is easily propagated by tubers, which yield a vigorous 

 plant the first year. 



c. The yield of tubers can be increased by heaping earth 

 around the stems. By what means do farmers do that ? 



d. It has developed many varieties. 



e. It furnishes wholesome food for man and beasts, but 

 is not alone sufficient as food for man, because it contains 

 little else than starch and water. 



