Sharing his overwhelming enthusiasm for the humble spud and a lifetime's experience in the seed potato industry, Alan Romans combines an engaging account of potato growing with an expert guide to potato varieties. The Potato Book traces the history of the potato from its beginnings in South America to the development of variety breeding. It explains all aspects of growing, from choosing seed potatoes, planting and maintenance, to harvest, storage, and pests and diseases. An exhaustive and definitive guide to over 150 varieties currently available provides scientifically based assessments of yield, characteristics and disease resistance. In addition there are descriptions of rare (mainly pre-1950 heritage varieties) that are occasionally available.