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 in Europe provides scientifically based assessments of yield, characteristics, disease resistance. With descriptions too of varieties - mainly 'heritage' (pre-1950) - that have recently become available as microplants, it contains everything the potato grower needs to know.