B. P. T.-179. V. p. r. I.-140. 



DISEASE RESISTANCE OF POTATOES. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Potatoes are liable to several diseases, some of greater economic 

 importance in one part of the country, some in another," The causes 

 of most of these have been determined, and remedies of more or less 

 practical value, chiefly spraying and seed disinfection, have been 

 found. The success of the agents of the Department of Agriculture 

 in securing disease-resistant varieties of various other plants has given 

 an added interest to the question as to what may be expected in the 

 way of securing disease-resistant varieties of potatoes. Inasmuch as 

 this matter has engaged the attention of the potato specialists of 

 Europe longer and more widely than has been the case in America, 

 the attempt has been made to glean from their experience whatever 

 may prove of assistance in furthering the work in this country. 



In presenting the results it has seemed best for the sake of clearness 

 to discuss briefl}^ (1) certain general matters relating to potato culture 

 in Europe; (2) the potato diseases which occur there, with comments 

 on the resistance shown by particular varieties to each disease, and 

 then (3) to summarize the information obtainable in America as to 

 disease resistance of potatoes. 



POTATO CTJI.TURE IN EUROPE. 



Potato culture was introduced from America into Europe more than 

 three centuries ago. It was slower in its popularization there than in 

 this country, but to-day the potato crop is relatively more important, 

 both for food and for factory uses, in Europe than in America. This 

 is partly attributable to the greater success of maize as a starch- 

 producing plant in America and partly to the difference in economic 



« Anyone not familiar with potato diseases should consult Farmers Bulletin No. 

 91, Potato Diseases and Their Treatment, by B. T. Galloway, which will be sent free 

 of charge upon application to a Senator, Representative, or Delegate in Congress, or 

 to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



8838— No. 87—05 2 9 



