February, 1909.] 



153 



Edible Products, 



The principal varieties of the yam group 

 are the Southern Queen, the Pumpkin 

 Yam, the Georgia, the Florida, and the 

 Red Bermuda. Of the varieties men- 

 tioned there are a large number 

 of special strains, known under many- 

 local names. 



In the selection of varieties for home 

 use one must be governed largely by 

 locality. As a rule those of the Jersey 

 group will thrive farther north than 

 those of the so-called yam types. For 

 market purposes the particular variety 

 or strain grown in the vicinity should be 

 first selected, and afterward other 

 varieties may be experimented with in a 

 small way. 



The following brief descriptions of a 

 few of the leading varieties may be 

 of assistance in selecting those best adap- 

 ted to various conditions of soil and cli- 

 mate : — 



Big-Stem Jersey —This variety is the 

 most popular among the growers who 

 are supplying the northern and eastern 

 markets. It is a form of the Yellow 

 Jersey, having been selected for its pro- 

 ductiveness and dry, yellow flesh. The 

 vines are slender and long ; the potatoes 

 are of spindle shape and inclined to grow 

 rather large ; colour of potatoes yellow ; 

 colour of flesh light yellow or deep cream. 

 While this variety yields hoavily : 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 Jsrsey. — The vines of the 

 Yellow Jersey variety are long and more 

 slender than those of the Big-Steam 

 Jersey, and the potatoes are of spindle 

 shape, but much smaller ; otherwise the 

 two varieties are very similar 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 

 Yello vV Jersey variety, except that the 

 roots are red and it is more productive 

 under most conditions. It is suitable 

 for home use. 



Southern Queen, or Hayman, — The 

 vines of this variety are strong and vigor- 

 ous; the potatoes are large, thick, and 

 blunt at ends or of short spindle shape ; 

 the colour is white or light cream, while 

 the flesh is of cream colour, becoming 

 darkened in cooking, moist, and very 

 sweet. This variety is most extensively 

 grown for market purposes where a 

 18 



sweet, moist-fleshed potato is demanded. 

 The Southern Queen yields well, is an ex- 

 cellent keeper, aud is adapted for both 

 marketing and stock feediug and for 

 home use in the South Atlautic and Gulf 

 Coasts States, but it does not mature 

 when grown in the extreme North. 



Pumpkin Yam. — The vines are vigor- 

 ous, short, sometimes of a bunch habit. 

 The potatoes are of short spindle shape 

 or quite round, with a dull yellow colour 

 ou the outside. The flesh is orauge or 

 sometimes yellow and marbled with 

 orange ; it is moist and has a flavour very 

 similar to that of good squash. This 

 variety yields well and is adapted to 

 home use and to stock feeding throughout 

 the South. 



Georgia, or Split-Leaf, Yam.— The vines 

 of this variety are slender and long ; the 

 potatoes of medium size, spindle shape, 

 yellow, the flesh a light yellow, marbled 

 with salmon. The quality of this variety 

 is excellent and very sweet, but it is a 

 light yielder. It is a splendid sort for 

 home use throughout the South Atlantic 

 and Gulf Coast States. 



Red Bermuda.— The Red Bermuda 

 vines are large and vigorous. The 

 potatoes are usually large and overgrown 

 with heavy ridges and veins. The colour 

 of the potatoes is rose red ; flesh, creamy ; 

 quality fair but not so sweet as Southern 

 Queen. This variety is a heavy cropper 

 and suitable for feeding to stock. It is 

 one of the few so-called yams which 

 thrive in the northern portion of the 

 sweet potato area. 



Florida.— The vines of the Florida 

 variety are large aud vigorous. The 

 potatoes are rather large, light salmon 

 yellow, smooth and regular, of short 

 spindle shape, with light yellow flesh. 

 This variety is not so sweet as the 

 Georgia and is inclined to be dry and 

 mealy. It yields fairly well and is 

 adapted for home use. 



Pierson.— The vines of the Pierson are 

 similar to those of the Red Bermuda 

 variety. The potatoes are light yellow, 

 of short, spindle shape, very rough, with 

 cream-colored flesh. This sort is exten- 

 sively grown for the earliest market, 

 but it is of only fair quality. It yields 

 well if allowed to remain until late in 

 the season. 



Black Spanish, or "Niger Choker."— 

 The Black Spanish vines are very long, 

 vigorous, and dark purple in colour. The 

 potatoes are long, cylindrical, crooked, 

 or bent ; dark purple in colour, with 

 snowy white fljsh and poor quality. 

 This variety is grown mostly for stock 

 feeding. 



