VARIETIES 71 



3. Ability to resist diseases. The potato is so sub- 



ject to disease that this is now of prime impor- 

 tance in a variety in the Eastern States, although 

 not so important in parts of the Trans- Missis- 

 sippi area. 



4. The color of the skin and tuber. In the Eastern 



States red varieties are not in favor at present, 

 a white-fleshed and white-skinned tuber being 

 preferred. In the South red-skinned varieties 

 are sought. 1 



5. The nature of the skin. A netted, or rough, skin 



is preferred. 



6. The shape. Some markets discriminate in favor 



of a particular shape, the flat-round and oval 

 generally being popular shapes. 



7. The depth and frequency of eyes. Potatoes with 



deep and numerous eyes are not economical in 

 preparation for cooking. 



8. The time of maturity . This is essential to know 



before planting, in order to facilitate the dis- 

 tribution of farm work and determine whether 

 it is likely to mature in the locality. 



9. The haulm. 



10. The leaf. 



1 1 . The vigor of the variety. This is important, 



although it is of equal importance to obtain a 

 vigorous strain of a variety, as wide variations 

 are noted in the same variety. 



12. Tendency to make second growth. 



>Tex. Bui. 71, p. 9. 



