240 SCIENCE REMAKING THE WORLD 



ranking in importance with their production. The con- 

 centration of our population in the cities makes it neces- 

 sary to draw on stored products in ever greater quantity 

 and for longer periods of time. Great quantities of 

 potatoes for future consumption and for seed are stored 

 both at places of production and in terminal warehouses. 

 The present losses due to unfavourable storage condi- 

 tions are enormous. To store potatoes like household 

 furniture, a method still practised, especially in ter- 

 minal warehouses, is a costly procedure. 



First of all we must bear in mind the fact that the 

 potato is a living, breathing creature and must be 

 treated as such. It is not endowed with natural long 

 life, but is intended to perpetuate the life of the variety 

 by giving rise to new plants. The practical problem of 

 potato storage is to prolong the life of the tubers with- 

 out impairment of their culinary or seed value. They 

 must also be protected against decay caused by micro- 

 organisms. Their tissues form an ideal medium for the 

 growth of fungi and bacteria. 



The necessity of specialized storage for potatoes is 

 now generally recognized, but there is still much 

 difference of opinion regarding the most favourable 

 storage conditions. This situation is due in part to a 

 lack of sufficient and accurate scientific information on 

 the physiology of the potato tuber during the different 

 periods of its storage life. Storage conditions that are 

 most favourable or allowable for one period in the stor- 

 age life of the potato may not be the best or even toler- 

 ated in a previous or succeeding period. Although the 

 complete story of the physiology of the potato during 



