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in the market are the produce of French seed, generally known as 

 Marseilles potato, though sometimes Italian varieties are also found 

 the former being superior and preferred. 



Generally speaking, the forms grown are more or less round 

 (Patraque, of the French), very irregular in shape, thick in the 

 skin, with many very deep eyes. Owing to their deep eyes there is 

 a great waste when peeling in preparation for cooking. However 

 they are hardy and heavy croppers. 



For Egypt such var. as the well known Magnum Bonum is not 

 to be recommended, a variety really good for the country, being the 

 french : Saucisse. 



II : By tubers ; Considerable differences of opinion have existed 

 in the minds of practical men as to which is the better pra- 

 ctice, to pjant whole potatoes or to use larger ones, cut into 

 pieces. It is beyond doubt, however, that the use of very small 

 ones is an extremely objectionable practice and various experi- 

 ments carefully conducted have unmistakably shown that the greatest 

 yield is obtained when medium-sixed uncut seed is planted. A greater 

 weight, however, is required when whole tubers are used, 14 or 15 

 cantars being required per feddan, while 12 or 13 are sufficient in 

 the other case. Use fresh seed which should be fully matured. Cut 

 your seed-potatoes longitudinally leaving 2 good buds or eyes for each 

 set. The sets or whole tubers, as the case may be, are planted in 

 holes about 30 35 cm. apart, the distance between the ridges being 

 about 75 cm. 



III : Two crops are grown, viz : the Sefi, from middle of Ja- 

 nuary to about the end of February ; and the Shitwi which may be 

 planted as early as August the 15 till about the end of October. 

 However as the plant is very sensitive to excessive cold and parti- 

 cularly frost, the Shitwi crop must be planted as early as possible 

 in order to escape frost late in December and January. The tubers 

 are long to sprout requiring about 20 days to produce aerial shoots. 



V : Harvesting of the crop takes place 3 4 months after planting 

 the time depending on many ciscumstances. The Sefi crop generally 

 ripens earlier. If the crop is intended for seed, it ought to be 

 fully matured thus requiring more time. However, on an average 

 about 3 1/2 months are required and the crop is not ripe until the 



