"The Tuber Flea Beetle in British Columbia" print (1962)

In reconstructing and restoring some of these booklet covers, I've often learned a bit about the circumstances in which they were constructed. It might look like nine different potatoes were used in the making of the Tuber Flea Beetle's very graphic cover (that also happens to be a personal favourite of mine), it's actually the same potato rearranged and exposed to different amounts of light. Take a look at the top left potato, then rotate it 180 degrees. Voila! You'll see the same small black discolouration pattern.

In this way, the designer managed to make do using a single potato photograph repeatedly, rather than having to manage an entire pan of potatoes or find multiple photographs. I also have a sneaking suspicion this same designer made 1966's Irrigating Schedules for Early Potatoes.

A booklet cover reproduction available at 12x18" or 24x36" on Epson Enhanced Matte 192 gsm paper printed with Epson UltraChrome XD2 archival ink. Sold in an open edition, unframed. The Canada Department of Agriculture wordmark on this cover has been replaced with the words ”National Farming Forum” due to Section 9 of the Canadian Trademarks Act.