The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-10-02
Some Farm Facts

W men me Spamarus HIst came 10
South america tney ionnd the potato
growing, wnlcn tney caned Datata--as
II sounucu so mucn Ike the name the
Indians nad gwen them. but 1t Is
SAID the name, Datata, or potato, be-
longs more rightly to tue sweet potato,
ana mas no connection with the wnte
oT irish potatoes, says the rnnadel-
phia accord.
IL IS CLAIMED that the potato is not a
root, nor lfuit, nof seed IT IS
nOIning more man AN enlarged STEM
UT tuber. II IS the bcIei OF some that
II originated by part OF the potato
VINE OF Dusn becoming buried under
the earth-n all probaDihly bruised,
and II enlarged when the starcn gath
cred al the bruised pait, he theory
continues, then, when this enlarged
stem Is planted there Is tendency Iur
II 10 throw out underground stems that
would enlarge, and nnaly there came
10 be such variety vi potato vines as
would produce tabers under the ground,
WHAT We call the eyes vi the potato
are really only scars where leaves be-
gan TO form, pat were prevented from
dong SO on account vi the hard earth.
tad It been above ground, the stem
would have produced a Leaf, but down
under the ground 1t was only able to
start 10 grow and then die, leaving the
scar, which We call the eye.
fuil up potato vine and little stems
beginning 10 swell will be found. Even
tuaily these would have made potatoes.
1t vii often be noticed that some OF
these stems have already rounded into
potatoes, and some show small delicate
leaves IN the forming.
An authority tells us that the potato
has large and unique relationship
Tobacco, tomatoes, eggplant and pep
pers belong 10 the family Probably
that is why the potato bug is 50 often
destructive TO these crops. 1t Is asked
how can potato grow other potato
vines from the eyes, since II Is not
root, iruit or seed. hat is answered
by way Ui illustrations: \ stem OF al
most any plant Will produce another
plant from the place where the leaves
come out on II. Ii one will break OF
a piece oi rose bush and plant II in a
favorable place II will produce another
rose bush, just as the potato will pro-
duce another vine.
III VIII St the potato vine IS very
hardy and will grow TO a considerable
height. il is SAID that the Indians did
not cultivate the potato except for the
leaves, which became known as their
tobacco-hence the leaves and stalks
Of tobacco are large but there are !.
signs ui potatoes at the roots. So
much ior cultivation.
On account OF the starch the; con-
tain, potatoes are valuable food. The
potato tubcr consists mainly OF a mass
OF cells filled with starch and encir-
cled by n thin corky rind. As stated,
the chief value 81 the potato as an ar
ticlc OF diet consists IN the starch il
contains. and TO a less extent in the
potash and other salts The quantity
OF nitrogen in its composition is small.
'TIhirty-hve per cent OF an egg is
composed OF mineral elements. The
hens regular food seldom contains
these in the proper proportions. Fair
fields Egg Producer contains every
element in the right proportions and
proper combinations, and in a form
easily assimilatcd Sold under written
guarantee by Alexander & Son, Elk
ton; w r. Harriott. Chesapeake City;
4 A. MI II. q.