48 The Potato 



times" is the attention that is being given to the practi- 

 cal breeding of crops. We have learned that good seed 

 is a necessary accompaniment to high fertility and good 

 care and also the desirability of different varieties adapted 

 to varying needs of soil, climate and man. 



These wild forms have been taken, in most cases, from 

 their original habitats and placed under conditions of 

 soil, temperature and moisture to which they are not 

 accustomed. Here selection must not only modify the 

 plants better to meet the wants of man, but they must 

 become adapted to their new environment. Most 

 plants are very flexible and finally become adapted to a 

 variety of conditions. This is evidenced by the very 

 large number of varieties of which most of our cultivated 

 plants consist. 



Results of careful and systematic breeding are accu- 

 mulating rapidly with very many kinds of plants. The 

 results of all this work will probably enable us, even- 

 tually, to formulate somewhat definite statements as to 

 how to proceed to secure desired results.' Considerable 

 evidence is already at hand, but on the whole the methods 

 of breeding are still somewhat empirical. 



All of our cultivated plants have come from wild forms. 

 Man has seen in them possibilities of usefulness, and he 

 has chosen year after year the ones which better serve 

 his purpose. This constant selection has in the course of 

 time produced profound changes in our plants. 



IDEALS FOE THE POTATO CROP 



Plant-breeding is worthy of the name only as it sets 

 definite ideals and is able to attain them. Merely to 

 produce new varieties is of no merit. We must give up 



