Potato Breeding 81 



Shoots are sent down into the ground from the axils 

 of the first leaves, and it is on these that the tubers are 

 borne. As a rule, the tubers for the first year vary in size 

 from that of a marble to that of a hen's egg. In unusual 

 cases single tubers have been obtained the first year 

 which weighed over a pound. Wilson ^ reports a total 

 yield of 6 pounds 3 ounces for a single seedling plant. 



It is often necessary to plant the tubers for another 

 year or two in order to secure plants which will bear a 

 normal crop of good-sized tubers. The tubers should be 

 harvested separately for each plant, put in paper bags, 

 and carefully stored until spring. Usually one is able 

 to make his final selection the second year, but in some 

 cases it is necessary to plant the tubers again before he 

 can be sure that his choice of strains is a wise one. The 

 tubers should be planted about 40 inches apart the sec- 

 ond year to allow a careful study of individual plants. 



One ought to remember that it is comparatively easy 

 to produce new varieties of plants, and that the mere 

 fact that we have secured new sorts does not mean 

 that they are worthy of culture. Any new variety of 

 plant should be distinctly superior to others on the mar- 

 ket in at least one respect. The markets are already 

 cluttered with mediocre varieties. Set your ideals high and 

 do not be content with anything which falls short of them. 

 Also do not waste time trying to select good qualities in 

 strains where no such possibilities exist. Selection will 

 not build up characters which are not potentially present. 



In spite of the many hindrances to hybridization, some 

 careful studies have been made on the inheritance of 

 characters in the potato. We must remember, however, 

 that in some cases at least, the material studied was not 



» Wilson, J. H. High, and Agri. Soc. Scot. Trans. 1907, pp. 74-92. 

 G 



