No. 4030 — Growing Potatoes from True Seed
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 4030 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
The author claims growing potatoes from seed can double yields and improve the crop; early hotbed sowing is said to produce large tubers when planted out in May or June.
After potato flowers, some varieties form green berry-like fruits. They soften and whiten inside as they mature in August or September.
Gather the berries before frost and keep in a moderately warm place until they soften and ferment slightly, with a wine-like smell.
Crush in plenty of water, wash the seeds free of sticky pulp through sieves and dry in fresh air.
The seeds are very small and numerous. Mix with soil or sand before sowing in spring after frosts.
Choose sunny, not overly wet land already enriched by earlier manuring. Smooth with a rake, sow in furrows about a foot apart and cover with two vershoks soil.
When seedlings reach about three vershoks, weed and thin to six or seven vershoks apart. Weed through summer and lift tubers when leaves turn yellow.