Varieties 121 



been suggested by various writers but no key has yet 

 been made sufficiently complete to rely on in accurate 

 classification.^ Eoughly speaking, the distinguishing 

 characterization of various varieties are included in: 

 (1) the length of vine, which may be either long or 

 bunch; (2) the shape of leaves, which are either deep 

 cut, shouldered or entire; (3) thej^extare-e^^- meaV" 

 whic h is either s irupy, niealy^OTjntCTmediate ; (4) the 

 color of the fiesh, which may be yellow, white or mottled 

 white and yellow ; and (5) the color of the skin, which is 

 white, yellowish, light red or purple. Many minor 

 characters may be noted, such as prominence of leaf- 

 veins, color of leaf-veins, and tint of leaves. In order 

 to make a treatise on varieties as practical as possible, 

 it has been thought best to give all of the available in- 

 formation on the better known kinds, even though some 

 of these varieties are only known locally by the name 

 given. 



The descriptions given below are in somewhat the 

 form of notes as made by the authors from observation, 

 elaborated in cases by descriptions from other authori- 

 ties. All available descriptions of varieties except a 

 very few well known ones are admittedly incomplete and 

 the notes on characteristics and importance constitute 

 only such information as is known to be reliable and ac- 

 curate. A longer study and more systematic effort on 

 the part of investigators is sure to give some very valu- 

 able data on varietal characteristics in the future, and 

 if the descriptions given here seem incomplete it is 



1 A letter from Jno. H. Beattie of the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 Washington, D. C, to the author, dated July 30, 1919, says, " Ihir- 

 ing the present season we are planning to test our variety key out, 

 and if it shows the same results as it did last year, we will publish 

 the material." 



