58 



(a) Botanical characteristics of the potato plant; the dif- 



ference between a seed and a tuber; and potato im- 

 provement by various methods and conditions of 

 propagation, taking into account tendencies of the 

 potato plant to " variation " and to " mixing in the 

 hill." 



(b) Importance of planting "seed" selected in the field 



from the best-yielding hills, rather than seed selected 

 from the bin merely by size of tubers. 



(c) Advantage of using potatoes for planting which have 



been properly stored, and the effects of freezing and 

 sprouting in the cellar. 



(d) Conditions under which it may be desirable to sprout 



potatoes to be used for planting, in a warm, well- 

 lighted room, the temperature, the time and the care 

 in handling required for such sprouting. 



(e) Size of piece and number of eyes to the piece, as im- 



portant factors in starting the crop and in the quan- 

 tity of its yield. 



d. Proper Planting. The related study here would include 



knowledge of : 



(a) Botanical and chemical characteristics of the potato 



plant, as to its feeding habits, the growth of the tubers, 

 and the effect on the tubers as food products of ex- 

 posure to the sun during their growth. 



(b) Distances between rows, and between seed pieces in the 



row. 



(c) Depth of planting, in its relation to protection of the 



tubers from the sun, shielding the crop from possible 

 rot-producing bacteria and spores, and subsequent 

 cultivation, whether by the " level " or by the " hill " 

 method. 



(d) Best time for planting, whether for " early " or for 



" late " potatoes. 



e. Proper Spraying. The related study here would include 



knowledge of : 



(a) Botanical characteristics of the potato plant, particularly 



the relation of health and luxuriance of foliage to 

 tuber production. 



(b) Insect enemies of the potato plant, and their entomo- 



logical characteristics, such as their methods of propa- 

 gation and their feeding habits. 



(c) Depredations of insects, and their possible relation to 



attacks upon the potato plant by plant diseases. 



