The modern algebraic treatment of geometry in projective spaces focuses attention on the properties of homogeneous ideals in polynomial and power-series rings. This inevitably raises questions concerning how far ordinary ideal theory needs to be modified if only homogeneous ideals are to be regarded as significant. In practice, one can usually answer any particular question of this type without undue difficulty when it arises but, it seems to the author, the topic has enough intrinsic interest to merit a connected discussion by itself.