I9 o8.] IMPROVEMENT OF THE POTATO. 449 



The hypothesis of degeneration seems to have little ground 

 either in theory or in practice. Disease control is here of para- 

 mount importance. 



Table quality, according to the American standard, depends pri- 

 marily upon homogenous structure of the tuber, when mature tu- 

 bers of a fair percentage dry matter are compared. This condition 

 is to a large extent a varietal character and as such is probably 

 capable of improvement. That this can be done by selection of 

 tubers within a variety has not yet been definitely determined, but 

 is improbable. 



Tubers with a total content of nitrogenous matter beyond the 

 average for maize (calculated to dry basis) have been found. It 

 has been shown that a high nitrogen content, at least within the 

 limit found, is not through any law of composition, opposed to our 

 conception of quality. 



That varieties can be produced with a much higher food value 

 because of their higher nitrogen content, by selection of seedlings 

 from their chemical analysis is not to be doubted. 



