207 



Self-propagating Potato. 



(Platk XI.) 

 By Rev. J. J. M. L. Aikex, B.D., Aytoii. 



The potato illustrated was a sample of a main (Top A^ariety 

 which had been stored for several months in a dry cellar, 

 and was about to be thrown out to make roonj for other 

 things. Ere reaching the waste heap, however, it was dis- 

 coxered to be distinguished by a peculiar protuberance or 

 growth, which led to its being preserved and submitted to 

 tlie insjjection of local experts. To all appearance it had 

 made a brave effort in untoward cii'ciunstances to produce 

 after its kind, and in so doing had develo})ed on its upj^er 

 side not only foliated shoots, as shown at the tt)p of the 

 illustration, but also several tubers, as seen on another shoot 

 issuing fro)u the inside. On the heel also Avere clustered a 

 few tubercles with the semblance of eyes as on mature seeds. 

 (^n investigation it would seem that it is not unusual for 

 old potatoes to produce new ones in this way, and that this 

 fact has been frequently turned to prj^tical account, in proof 

 of which Mr T. J. Powell, Park Place, Henley-on-Thames, 

 has supplied details in gardening papers and elsewhere of an 

 interesting experiment conducted by him, which eventually won 

 for him the silver Banksian Medal of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society. 



Chancing to observe a potato similarly aiTected, he conceived 

 the idea of retarding growth in old seeds so as to encourage 

 the production of young tubers at a later period of the year. Tn 

 selecting the seed he checked all signs of growth from without 

 in order to keep it firm and prevent the waste of substance. 



