4 THK POTATO 



The idea is prevalent that potatoes do not bloom so 

 freely now as formerly. The facts do not tend to con- 

 firm this. Mark Catesby, who was in this country in 

 1722 and 1726, wrote that " in Virginia and to the 



FIG. 3 SECTIONAL VIKW OF POTATO FLOWER 



(Diagra m matt c) 



a Ovary, b Ovules, which finally become seeds, c Calyx, made up of 

 green-colored leaves, d Stigma. The pollen attaches itself at this place. 

 e Style, down which the pollen-tube passes to the ovary and ovules. 

 p Petals, white to purple in color. ^ Stamens. The thick upper portion 

 bears the pollen, and is known as the anther. 



north thereof, they [potatoes] are annuals, and produce 

 no flowers, while in Carolina and the Bahama Islands 

 they produce flowers." Many varieties existed at 

 that time, particularly in Virginia, and five kinds were 

 common the Common, Bermudas, Brimstone, Carrot, 



