Potato Glossary
by Richard E. Tucker
Last revised 5 April 2008

Copyright © 2008 by Richard E. Tucker

Introduction

This vocabulary has been prepared as a companion to the Potato Chronology. In that work, a self-imposed requirement to limit each entry to a single line forced the use of technical phrases, scientific words, jargon and terminology that may be unfamiliar to many, even to those in the business. It is hoped that this glossary will aid those using the chronology, and it is hoped that it may become a useful reference for anyone interested in learning more about potatoes.

There was a time, a century or more ago, when nearly everyone was familiar with farming life, the raising of potatoes and the lingo of farming. They were farmers themselves, they had relatives who farmed, or they knew someone who was a farmer. Nearly everyone grew potatoes in their gardens and sold the extra. But that was a long ago time, and the general population is now separated from the farm by several generations. Today, only about 4% of the US population lives on a farm. Words and phrases used by farmers in general and potato growers in particular are now unfamiliar to most Americans.

Additionally, farming has become increasingly complex and technical. Research on the cutting edge of science is leading to new production techniques, new handling practices, new varieties, new understanding of soil and pest ecology, and other advances too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say, it is becoming difficult to understand the newest findings and advances without at least a rudimentary understanding of the terms and phrases. Indeed, many farmers do not know the technical jargon of their own field. This writer must admit that even though he grew up on a potato farm, still has close relatives working it, and still dabbles in it from time to time, he had to look up many, if not the majority, of these words and phrases.

This writer welcomes clarifications and corrections for he is sure mistakes and misrepresentations have crept in. This is still a work in progress; revisions will be issued periodically. Please forward this information to rtuckerr@aol.com

Readers will note some entries have no definition. This is not an error or problem with your computer; they are still being worked on. Entire Glossary - updated 5 April 2008