In selecting potatoes for winter use, choose a sound potato at random from the lot, cut it in two, and examine the exposed surfaces. Notice whether there are any dark streaks through or around the potato. If so, they indicate "brown rot" or some other fungus disease, and such potatoes should be rejected. Fig. 82. — Brown Ring Discoloration on Potato, caused by the Fusarium wilt. Slices at left show Fusarium dry rot which follows the wilt or injuries. Squeeze the pieces of potato slightly and if drops of water run off the exposed surface, the potato will not cook well but will be soggy. It may have been dug before the potato was thor- oughly ripened. The color should be white with slightly yellowish tinge. If it is yellow, the potato is not likely to cook well. Potatoes should be free from any green color. This is caused by exposure to the sun which develops a poison in the potato. Sweet potatoes do not belong to the same family as the common or "Irish potato,'^ but the root has about the same composition Digitized by Google MARKETING 187 as the potato tuber, except that it has about 10 per cent of sugar, which gives it a decidedly sweet taste. Sweet potatoes should be handled with great care. The slightest bruise will spoil the whole potato. They are difficult to hold in storage, as the temperature must be held at a uniform point not lower than 60 degrees and not higher than 70 degrees. The yam is a variety of large sweet potato, the flesh of which is somewhat coarser and less palatable than the ordinary varieties. The large "moist" sweet pota- toes are often called yams, though incorrectly. The *'dry" or ''mealy" sweet potatoes are usually con- sidered the best. These come from the South. Tomato : The tomato belongs to the same botanical family (the Night-shade or Solon- acae) as the potato. So closely are they related that it is possible to graft the tomato stem on to the potato plant and have grow- ing tomatoes above and potatoes below the ground on the same plant. For a long time tomatoes were considered poisonous, but now they are highly esteemed as a wholesome food. In southern Italy, where the tomato is popular, it was called the Golden Apple, and in France, England, and America it was called the ''Love Apple." Tomatoes vary in size from tomatoes the size of a cherry to tomatoes so large that they weigh two or three pounds. Fig. 83.— Tomatoes Upper — Larger and medium varieties compared. Lower Right — Yellow tomato, small variety. Lower Left — Husk tomatoes (ground cherries). ^Digitized by Google 188 DOMESTIC SCIENCE The best tomatoes for canning and for ordinary table use are those of medium size with well-fleshed, mostly solid, interiors, round and smooth on the outside. The ground cherry or husked tomato is an interesting variety of tomato. It grows in many forms, and although it is about the size of a cherry, it varies in color from deep red to green and grows in clusters so that it has various names such as ^'Straw- berry,'' ^'Currant,'^ and ^'Grape.^' Lettuce : The lettuce is of Greek origin and has occupied the most important place as a salad plant for more than four centuries. # Aa Fig. 84 Head Lettuce Curled Lettuce Plain Leafed Lettuce Leaf lettuce may be plain or curled. It is used as a garnish and with vinegar as a salad. Head lettuce or cabbage lettuce is most used as a salad. The heart with proper dressing furnishes a simple but delicious salad. Lettuce should not be exposed to the sun after gathering, and should be kept in a cool place. If the inside leaves have a reddish tinge, the lettuce has been kept too long. Cabbage :

AI-modernized reading of the original text

In selecting potatoes for winter use, choose a sound potato at random from the lot, cut it in two, and examine the exposed surfaces. Notice whether there are any dark streaks through or around the potato. If so, they indicate "brown rot" or some other fungus disease, and such potatoes should be rejected. Fig. 82. — Brown Ring Discoloration on Potato, caused by the Fusarium wilt. Slices at left show Fusarium dry rot which follows the wilt or injuries. Squeeze the pieces of potato slightly and if drops of water run off the exposed surface, the potato will not cook well but will be soggy. It may have been dug before the potato was thoroughly ripened. The color should be white with slightly yellowish tinge. If it is yellow, the potato is not likely to cook well. Potatoes should be free from any green color. This is caused by exposure to the sun which develops a poison in the potato. Sweet potatoes do not belong to the same family as the common or "Irish potato,'^ but the root has about the same composition Digitized by Google as the potato tuber, except that it has about 10 per cent of sugar, which gives it a decidedly sweet taste. Sweet potatoes should be handled with great care. The slightest bruise will spoil the whole potato. They are difficult to hold in storage, as the temperature must be held at a uniform point not lower than 60 degrees and not higher than 70 degrees. The yam is a variety of large sweet potato, the flesh of which is somewhat coarser and less palatable than the ordinary varieties. The large "moist" sweet potatoes are often called yams, though incorrectly. The *'dry" or ''mealy" sweet potatoes are usually considered the best. These come from the South. Tomato : The tomato belongs to the same botanical family (the Night-shade or Solonacae) as the potato. So closely are they related that it is possible to graft the tomato stem on to the potato plant and have growing tomatoes above and potatoes below the ground on the same plant. For a long time tomatoes were considered poisonous, but now they are highly esteemed as a wholesome food. In southern Italy, where the tomato is popular, it was called the Golden Apple, and in France, England, and America it was called the ''Love Apple." Tomatoes vary in size from tomatoes the size of a cherry to tomatoes so large that they weigh two or three pounds. Fig. 83.— Tomatoes Upper — Larger and medium varieties compared. Lower Right — Yellow tomato, small variety. Lower Left — Husk tomatoes (ground cherries). Digitized by Google The best tomatoes for canning and for ordinary table use are those of medium size with well-fleshed, mostly solid, interiors, round and smooth on the outside. The ground cherry or husked tomato is an interesting variety of tomato. It grows in many forms, and although it is about the size of a cherry, it varies in color from deep red to green and grows in clusters so that it has various names such as ^'Strawberry,'' ^'Currant,'^ and ^'Grape.^' Lettuce : The lettuce is of Greek origin and has occupied the most important place as a salad plant for more than four centuries. # Aa Fig. 84 Head Lettuce Curled Lettuce Plain Leafed Lettuce Leaf lettuce may be plain or curled. It is used as a garnish and with vinegar as a salad. Head lettuce or cabbage lettuce is most used as a salad. The heart with proper dressing furnishes a simple but delicious salad. Lettuce should not be exposed to the sun after gathering, and should be kept in a cool place. If the inside leaves have a reddish tinge, the lettuce has been kept too long. Cabbage :

Domestic science (1914 text-book)