No. 105.] 357 



others, say that it has never appeared in exactly this form, or at this sea" 

 son of the year. I have met so many intelligent farmers who distinctly 

 state that they have never seen anything of this nature before, that I 

 am quite sure that in its present form, it must be new to many dis- 

 tricts if not to all. 



The form of the attack has been various, and opinions are very 

 nearly equally divided as to which part of the plant is first affected. 

 Some high authorities have contended, and from that circumstance per- 

 haps, the idea has become rather general, that disease commences in 

 the leaf, and proceeds downwards. I find, however, in the answers 

 to the above query, some which go far to prove the contrary. 



Mr. Findlayj of Easterhill, Lanarkshire, says, "1 am of opinion 

 that there was nothing on the leaves or stems, to indicate disease. 

 In my garden, no disease appeared among the early varieties until 

 at least four weeks after the leaves and stems had been dry as straw." 



Mr. Drummond, of West Bank, Dundee : "It did not show itself 

 in either leaf or stem on my land, where they held on strong to lift- 

 ing, although planted and finished by 29th April ; indeed, on the 

 lower land, I never saw more luxuriant shaws.^^ 



Mr. Caird, Baldoon Mains, Wigton: " In some fields, during the 

 harvest, there were many singular patches, as if the stems had been 

 injured by frost; but I believe it is not found that unsound potatoes 

 prevail more on these spots than on other parts of the field. Indeed, 

 where the stems were most fresh, luxuriant and healthy looking, the 

 crop is equally bad." 



Mr. Fleming, of Barochan, a most careful observer, expresses 

 his belief that the disease was first observed in the tuber, and his 

 overseer, Mr. Gardiner, says, " That the disease does not show itself 

 upon the stems and leaves before it appears in the tubers, I am led 

 to believe from many observations. I have observed in every instance 

 decayed fibrous roots and diseased tubers, whilst the stem and leaves 

 above ground, were perfectly healthy and free from disease, and tha* 

 the decayed appearance of the stems and leaves, said to be the first 

 symptoms of this disease, has been caused by the roots gradually 

 giving way first in the soil, when the decay of the leaves and stem 

 will immediately follow." 



