98 



provide for this demand. An industry requiring manj^ tons of potatoes per day 

 demands almost unlimited storage facilities to prevent the potatoes from freez- 

 ing or even being chilled during the winter. One of the primary' requirements 

 of potatoes to be used for potato chips is that the tubers contain a low amount 

 of reducing sugar. For it is this type of sugar, and not the total sugar content 

 of the potato, that is responsible for the color of the finished product. Artificial 

 "chips" have been produced by cooking filter paper soaked in dextrose. 



As to be expected, reducing sugar accumulates at low temperatures, and at 

 5° C. we found this to occur quite readily in the twenty-five varieties tested. 

 However, the reducing sugar values of the potatoes stored at 7° C. were about 

 one-third of the values of those stored at 5° C. and the values of those stored 

 at 8.2° C. were about one-sixth of those stored at 5° C. Delaying the start of 

 cool storage after harvest retarded the rate of increase of reducing sugar at 

 5° C. so that after ninety days a lower sugar value was obtained than with 

 potatoes stored immediately after harvest. Also, storage temperature differing 

 only 1° C. caused differences in the rate of sugar accumulation in the potatoes. 

 Only potatoes of known history (i.e. the variety, the temperature of the soil at 

 harvest, time after harvest storage is started and temperatures held during each 

 period of storage, etc.) should be used in experimental work when attempting 

 to compare different varieties as to their suitability for potato chips. 



The varieties of the Rural group were outstanding in maintaining low re- 

 ducing sugar values and providing chips of good color. 



Following the discussion of the scientific program, Dr. Bold read 

 a communication from Dr. Small concerning tickets for the Sports- 

 men's Show. 



The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 25 p.m. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Honor M. Hollixghurst, 



Recording Secretary. 



IMlXUTES OF THE jMeETIXG OF FEBRUARY 18. 1942 



The meeting of February 18 was called to order at 3.35 p.m. 

 in the Alembers' Room of the New York Botanical Garden. Dr. 

 Chandler, the second vice-president, presided. Thirty members 

 and friends were present. The minutes of the preceding meeting" 

 were accepted as read. 



Mr. Arthur C. Riemer, Box 241, Delmar, N. Y., was unani- 

 mously elected to membership in the Club. 



The resignations of the following were accepted with regret : 



Gladys B. Goddard of 747 Dixie Lane, Plainfield, X. J. 



Lora Bond of Wellesley, Mass. 



Harley J. Scott of 3720 Avenue Q, Brooklyn, N. Y. 



