CHAPTER XIII 

 POTATOES 



THE potato is an American plant, and was introduced 

 into European countries soon after the discovery of America. 

 In Europe potatoes did not readily find acceptance, but 

 the American colonists regarded them with more favor, 

 and cultivated them to a considerable extent. Ireland 

 was the first of the European countries to realize the im- 

 portance of the potato crop and grow it on an extensive 

 scale. The potato became so common in Ireland that it 

 is now generally known as the Irish potato to distinguish 

 it from the southern sweet potato. 



Classification. Potatoes are divided into two great 

 classes commonly known as early and late potatoes. In 

 each class are numerous varieties. Seedsmen have used 

 the term " variety " in a careless way. Many of the so- 

 called varieties are the same kind of potatoes. The 

 introduction of many varieties has been more of a hin- 

 drance than a help to the advancement of potato culture. 

 Often several types of potatoes are grown on the same 

 farm, and in the same hill, or row. Mixed varieties of 

 potatoes do not sell well on the market. Among the 

 standard varieties that are now receiving much attention 

 are the following : EARLY : Early Ohio, Early Rose, Bliss- 

 Triumph, and Irish Cobbler. LATE : Rural New Yorker. 

 Green Mountain, Burbank, and Peerless. 



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