CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 437 



The following descriptions of leading varieties have 

 been prepared by Beattie (U. S. D. A. Farmers' Bulle- 

 tin 324, p. 35) : 



BIG-STEM JERSEY. This variety is the most popular 

 among growers who are supplying northern and eastern 

 markets. It is a form of the Yellow Jersey, having been 

 selected for its productiveness and dry, yellow flesh. The 

 vines are slender and long; the potatoes are of spindly 

 shape and inclined to grow rather large ; color of potatoes 

 yellow ; color of flesh light yellow or deep cream. While 

 this variety yields heavily, it is unfortunately a rather 

 poor keeper, and its flesh is inclined to become dry and 

 "punky" toward spring. It will thrive well toward the 

 North, but is better adapted for use as a commercial 

 variety than for home consumption. 



YELLOW JERSEY. The vines of the Yellow Jersey va- 

 riety are long and more slender than those of the Big- 

 Stem Jersey, and the potatoes are of spindle shape, but 

 much smaller ; otherwise the two varieties are very sim- 

 ilar in appearance. The flesh is dry and mealy. This 

 variety is a fairly good keeper and retains its quality 

 well. It is adapted for home use and thrives under a 

 wide range of conditions, but does not yield heavily 

 enough for commercial purposes. 



RED JERSEY. This is similar to the Yellow Jersey va- 

 riety, except that the roots are red and it is more pro- 

 ductive under most conditions. It is suitable for home 

 use. 



SOUTHERN QUEEN, OR HAYMAN. The vines of this 

 variety are strong and vigorous ; the potatoes are large, 

 thick, and blunt at ends or of short spindle shape; the 

 color is white or light cream, while the flesh is of cream 

 color, becoming darkened in cooking, moist, and very 

 sweet. This variety is most extensively grown for mar- 

 ket purposes where a sweet, moist-fleshed potato is de- 

 manded. The Southern Queen yields well, is an excel- 



