THE POTATO DISEASE IN SCO'tLANi)* 



2Y J. p. NORTONj OF FARMINGTONj CONN. 



'There are few subj^ects, at the present time, ^^'hich awaken so gene- 

 ral an interest both in Europe and America, as the potato disease. 



The immense magnitude of the interests involved in the production 

 of the potato crop, has hitherto been scarcely thought of* In our own 

 country, we are favored with such a superabundance of produce, that 

 the potato is not absolutely indispensable, though even there, a general 

 failure of this crop would bring distress into many districts, and would 

 curtail the means of nearly all our farmers. But here, in Britain, in 

 Ireland, and on the continent, the case is different. To the poor, the 

 potato may be considered the stafT of life, and in many parts of these 

 countries, thousands of families rarely obtain any other food, from one 

 year's end to another. 



When, therefore, as during the present season, disease attacks the 

 potato crop, menacing in many places its total destruction, in nearly 

 all its injury to a greater or less degree, we see as we never before have 

 done, how important a means of sustenance is withdrawn. This dis- 

 ease becomes at once a national calamity. It throws the gloom of al- 

 most utter despair over many a humble hearth, and many a frame which 

 has endured long weary years of unrequited toil, sinks under the crown- 

 ing evil. The fear of famine becomes universal, and every energy 

 is aroused to avert the danger. 



In treating of this disease, I shall, in another part of this articlcj 

 consider whether it be the same that has for some years past been 

 more or less prevalent in this and other countries ; whatever the case 

 may be in this respect, it is certain that in no previous year has it as- 

 sumed a tithe of the malignity and universality, to which it has now 



