THE DEGENERATION OF THE POTATO.

New Zealand Tablet, 8 January 1920, Page 43

THE DEGENERATION OF THE POTATO.

Since the potato plant was first introduced into Europe some centuries ago, the plant has been compelled to lead a very strenuous existence, and it is not a matter of wonder if it is showing signs of exhaustion (says an English journal). The characteristics of this plant fatigue are greater proneness to disease of various kinds and inability to produce a satisfactory yield. The exact causes for this degeneracy are obscure, but the results serious in so far as they constitute a real risk to the grower of potato crops. Now, although experts who have investigated the subject have not discovered the causes, they have succeeded in finding measures which tend to check tho progressive degeneracy, and the chief of theso protective measures is that the potato seed used in a district should be changed every three or four years, and the new seed should come from a distant locality, a different soil, and a different climate. Experience seems to have shown' that growers in England act wisely in selecting seed from a cold, hilly district, such as Scotland. Another point which has been noted is that potatoes with rough skins and with eyes embedded deeply in the skin are less liable to disease than tubers with a smooth skin and eyes on the surface. It may be hoped that before long science will be able to throw definite light on such an important problem. Meantime prudent growers will grow varieties known to be hardy,' and will get a change of seed from a distant part of the country.