DISEASE-RESISTANT VARIETIES OF EUROPE. 



29 



Hence we must expect much conflicting evidence regarding the same 

 variety, especially as grown under difi'erent conditions and in difl:'erent 

 countries. 



The most satisfactory way will be to summarize separately the evi- 

 dence obtained in each country visited in Europe, followed by that 

 from America. 



The greatest activity in breeding for resistance occurs in Great 

 Britain, and next to this in Germany, while France has recently shown 

 special activity in one line. There were secured from each of these 

 countries all the varieties of especial promise for trial in America — 

 comprising a total of nearly one hundred. By no means all of these 

 have an established reputation as being highly disease resistant, 

 although all will be tested for this as well as other characters. 



Experience has shown that the transference of a variet}'^ from Europe 

 to America, or the reverse, is likely so to disturb the equilibrium of 

 the plant that the developments of the first year are scarcely normal. 

 At least two years are necessary for the adequate testing of imported 

 varieties. Commercial growers should therefore make only trial 

 plantations of any European variety until its adaptabilit}' to American 

 conditions has been proved. Seed of the varieties secured will be 

 under trial at several points this season and next. While it does not 

 seem worth while to publish the full list of these in advance, the fol- 

 lowing are selected as representing the varieties or types most strongly 

 indorsed in their respective countries for disease resistance. 



GREAT BRITAIN. 



More attention has been given to this question in Great Britain 

 than anywhere else. Careful comparative observations are recorded 

 as to the relative disease resistance of all the leading varieties. The 

 last report of the National Potato Society specifies the following eight 

 varieties as the best for disease resistance, named in the order of their 

 merit. The writer appended certain facts as to the origin and charac- 

 ters of each. All are white skinned, white fleshed, of excellent qual- 

 ity, of high general vigor, and heavy yielders. 



Table I. — The most disease-resistant varieties of potatoes in Great Britain, as announced 



hi/ the National Potato SociettiJi 



Order 



of 

 merit. 



Name of variety. 



Evergood 



[Discovery 



\Royal Kidney 



Northern Star 



Sir John Llewelvn. 



King Edward VJI . 



Eldorado 



Factor 



Originator. 



Findlay 

 Sutton . . 

 Findhiv 



do". 



Harris . . 

 Butler.. 

 Findlay 

 Dobbie . 



When 

 sent 

 out. 



1896 

 1903 

 1896 

 1901 

 1900 

 1901 

 1903 

 1898 



Season. 



Medium hite. 

 Late. 



Second early. 

 Late. 



Early. 

 Medium. 

 Medium late. 

 Late. 



aAnnual Report, National Potato Society, I: 36 (1904). 



