346 [Senate 



preserved for planting, to the succeeding spring, without any injury 

 perceptible to the eye, and yet has sustained an organic injury, pre- 

 disposing its offspring to " the rot " from the action of atmospheric 

 causes, that could not injure the produce of a sound potato. Seve- 

 ral generations from diseased primogenitors, grown during favorable 

 seasons, and with proper cultivation, will be necessary to restore 

 them to their sound state. And until sound seed is used, the " rot " 

 may be expected to continue its ravages, according as the season is 

 more or less favorable, or the principles that govern its cultivation, 

 more or less perfect in their application. 



Remedy. 



The remedies that my experience has proved successful to prevent 

 the " rot " are : 



1st. Plant sound seed potatoes, brought from districts of the 

 country that have not sufferredby the " rot." 



Second. Cultivate them with reference to producing a strong vital 

 stamina. Manure with substances that will afford in a proper state 

 for nutriment, lime, potash, soda and other inorganic substances that 

 chemical analysis shows the potato to require. 



Third. Intermix in planting, potatoes of the same, or a different 

 variety, cultivated in a different soil or climate, to give the plant a 

 germinal stimulus, that I have observed to promote the healthy growth 

 and large development of the tuber as well as strengthening its organic 

 fibre. 



Fourth. Drop the potatoes whole. The potato is a reservoir of 

 nature, to yield to the young sprouts an ample supply of nutritive 

 matter, until the roots shall be sufficiently developed to elaborate and 

 absorb from the manure and the soil, enough to maintain an indepen- 

 dent existence. They should be dropped a sufficient distance apart, 

 to prevent the roots and tubers, from crowding each other, the dis- 

 tance, say from 10 to 18 inches, to be regulated by the size of the 

 potato, or the disposition of the variety to spread its roots. 



Fifth Procure the maturity of the potatoe within the period of 

 120 days from the time of planting. Use those varieties for seed, 

 that experience proves to be rapid growers, they assimilate faster, or 

 more perfectly, and are better able to withstand the epidemic influence 

 of the " rot." Prepare the soil to a state of pulverization by winter 

 fallowing, and repeated plowings in the spring. Draw the furrows me- 



