The majority of potato planting is done in spring, and gathered 
in the latter part of summer, though in certain places on the 
coast and sheltered spots, where frost does not occur, it is planted 
in March, and gathered in spring to be sent to market before 
fully ripe. The south and central south districts are specially 
suited for growing potatoes, where they are planted on non- 
irrigated land with remarkable good results. 
The native varieties of potatoes known in Chile are very nu¬ 
merous, and to these have been added the modern species from 
Europe within the last few years. Among the native varieties 
most worthy of mention are “Nanco, Carichagua, Coraila, Pana, 
Vallaroela, Bastonesa, Mantequilla, Notra, Quila, Camota, Chilena, 
De ojo morado, Indiana, Reina, Doma, Colorada, Blanca, Rosada, 
Chillota,” etc. They differ from each other in shape (long or 
round) ; in being early or late growing; in being more or less 
productive, etc. 
The work of preparing the soil and cultivating does not differ 
in Chile from that in any other country. Potato crops seldom 
suffer from late spring frosts, because they are sown late in the 
season in parts where such frosts occur. 
The “ Macrosporimun Solani ” has infested this plant the past 
few years, but without causing great damage. No other diseases 
of this kind are known in Chile. 
The crop is gathered between February and April. The best 
kind of soil produces 450 hectolitres per hectare. About 50,000 
hectares of land are devoted each year to cultivation, and the 
crops amount to more than 4,000,000 hectolitres, most of which 
is consumed in the country, both as food for the people and 
animals, and for the manufacture of starch and alcohol. Only 
40,000 hectolitres are exported annually to countries along the 
Pacific Coast. 
The commercial value in the Santiago market on April 1st 
was $2.80 (Chile currency) per hectolitre for the “Doma” class. 
As soon as transportation is made easy and cheap, 500,000 
hectares of land can be devoted to the cultivation of pota¬ 
toes in Chile that will yield from 30,000,000 to 40,000,000 
hectolitres. 
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